Family Day on Aragon, This Saturday, June 14, is a community favorite that blends art, storytelling, learning, and celebration into one vibrant, all-day affair. Presented by the Coral Gables Museum in collaboration with Books & Books and the Coral Gables Art Cinema, this month’s edition brings a timely focus on Father’s Day and the essential work of the city’s firefighters.

Running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Coral Gables Museum and nearby venues along Aragon Avenue, this month’s theme is both festive and heartfelt. It promises engaging programming for all ages, including live music, interactive exhibitions, hands-on creative projects, and special performances.

A day to celebrate, remember

This edition of Family Day is uniquely meaningful, combining two poignant celebrations: Father’s Day and a tribute to Coral Gables’ firefighting force. The museum will offer hands-on “Junior Firefighter” activities in its courtyard throughout the day, giving children a playful and educational opportunity to learn about fire safety while engaging with real-life heroes. To top it off, the first 50 young attendees will receive a free Firefighter Goody Bag, making an early arrival well worth it.

Throughout the day, multiple firefighter presentations will take place, beginning at 10 a.m., with encore sessions at noon and again at 3 p.m. These interactive segments are designed not only to inform, but also to foster a sense of community appreciation for the first responders who serve Coral Gables with courage and professionalism.

Spotlight on local creativity, inclusion

At 11 a.m., the Inspire Theatre Project (ITP), part of Area Stage, will present a Father’s Day talent showcase featuring their neurodiverse performers. This inclusive performance celebrates the artistic gifts and stories of young adults on the autism spectrum and other developmental differences. Expect group musical numbers, heartfelt moments, and a reminder of how the arts can create bridges across experience and identity.

Then, at noon, Family Day on Aragon moves down the street to Books & Books for a storytime session featuring Cuban American author Jackie Morera and New York-based illustrator Violeta Encarnación. Together they will present their poignant new picture book Together We Remember, which thoughtfully explores grief, memory, and the enduring bonds of family.

Morera, a Central Florida resident and active member of Las Musas and the Latinx Kidlit Book Festival, brings personal warmth and insight to her storytelling. Encarnación’s bold visual style—already featured in publications like The New York Times and Sports Illustrated Kids—makes her illustrations an ideal pairing for Morera’s heartfelt prose. The book follows a young girl and her father on a fantastical memory journey to honor a departed loved one, touching on the bittersweet mix of love and loss in a way accessible to children.

Following the author event, families can return to the museum’s Zahner Center at 12:30 p.m. for a second storytime session and then join in a collaborative community coloring project at 1 p.m.—a low-stakes, high-creativity activity where kids and adults can contribute their own artistic flair to a larger collective mural.

A growing tradition of community engagement

Family Day on Aragon is held the second Saturday of each month and has grown into a signature program of the Coral Gables cultural calendar. Its success owes much to its partnerships—especially with the Coral Gables Community Foundation, which provides grant support, and Grove Bank & Trust, a consistent sponsor. This spirit of collaboration echoes through every part of the event, from the museum exhibits to the bookstore readings and beyond.

Each Family Day is more than just a fun outing; it’s a curated experience that offers a chance to discover the city’s creative spirit and invest in it—through time, attention, and imagination. Whether you’re bonding over books, dancing with performers, or learning how to be a junior firefighter, the day invites families to be active participants in their cultural environment.

Admission is free, and everyone is welcome.