By Coral Gables Gazette staff
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden will invite guests to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Caribbean when it hosts “Taste of the Caribbean,” a one-day culinary and cultural festival on Saturday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is included with general admission and promises authentic island cuisine, live entertainment, and activities for all ages set against the garden’s lush, tropical backdrop.
Organizers say the program is designed to showcase the region’s rich heritage through food, music, and hands-on experiences. Visitors can stroll shaded paths while sampling classic dishes, sip cocktails crafted with tropical ingredients, and join lawn games or dance lessons that celebrate the Caribbean’s vibrant spirit.
A menu of tradition and creativity
Food is at the heart of the celebration. Vendors will serve dishes representing a spectrum of island traditions — from jerk specialties and seafood to confections and spiced beverages — telling the story of tropical abundance and cultural fusion that defines Caribbean cooking.
Guests can explore the Island Market, where local chefs, spice merchants, and specialty purveyors offer products to take home, including herbs, sauces, and artisanal treats. Stalls confirmed so far include Jerk Conch, TJ Southern Kitchen, Kitchen 1333, Bahama Mama, Artic Ice Cuban Delights, It’s Always Happy Hour, Irie Attire, Healing Blends, and others.
Those seeking a deeper dive can sign up for the Tropical Tasting Tavern (two seatings, 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., $39), pairing three Caribbean-inspired cocktails with small plates. A Mini Caribbean Cocktail Tasting ($29) will feature a flight of bright, fruit-forward drinks, while fresh-cut coconut water ($5) offers a refreshing non-alcoholic option.
Music, dance, and a marketplace beat
Throughout the day, Fairchild’s open-air venues will pulse with reggae, junkanoo, mento, calypso, and Latin blends performed by an eclectic lineup: Folklore Singers, Junkanoo Band, Mento Band, and Calypso Band, appearing in timed sets between 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Guests can step into the rhythms themselves during soca dance lessons at 1:20 and 2:45 p.m., or join traditional Caribbean games such as limbo contests, lime-carry races, and fruit-sack competitions. Oversized checkers, domino tables, cornhole, Connect Four, and giant Jenga will dot the lawns, inviting friendly rivalries.
Learning from the Islands
Beyond food and music, “Taste of the Caribbean” will highlight the region’s natural bounty and artisanal skills.
- Exploring the Tropics (11:15 a.m.) introduces visitors to tropical fruit with guidance from Nick Bernal of Seasons Farm Fresh.
- A Cooking Demonstration (12 p.m.) showcases authentic techniques and local ingredients.
- Dance lessons at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. present folkloric steps led by professional instructors.
- Kitchen Beauty with The Couture Spa (1:45 p.m.) offers DIY skincare made with everyday culinary items.
- The Array of Spice Demo (3:15 p.m.) surveys herbs and seasonings that shape Caribbean flavor profiles.
- For game enthusiasts, domino tournaments at 1 and 3 p.m. promise lighthearted competition.
About Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Founded in 1938 and named for plant explorer Dr. David Fairchild, the 83-acre Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is home to one of the nation’s premier collections of palms, cycads, orchids, and rare tropical plants, as well as the only tropical rainforest in the continental United States. Its Wings of the Tropics butterfly conservatory and educational programs, including The Fairchild Challenge and the Million Orchid Project, reach more than 300,000 students annually. The nonprofit garden is also known for lively public events — from Mango and Orchid festivals to concerts and plant shows — and as a picturesque venue for weddings and private celebrations.
If You Go
- What: Taste of the Caribbean at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
- When: Saturday, September 13, 2025 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Where: 10901 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables
- Admission: $24.95 adults; $17.95 seniors (65+); $11.95 children 3–11; free for members and children under 2
- Details & tickets: fairchildgarden.org or 305-667-1651
