May 23, 2009 6:13 pm US/Eastern
Urban Beach Party On SoBe Goes On Despite Rain
MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) ―
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Memorial Day on Miami Beach became huge in 2001, the first year the holiday weekend was unofficially dubbed "Urban Beach Party."
CBS4 News
Memorial Day weekend means fun in the sun for many in South Florida, but on Miami Beach, the party never stops.
Business owners prepared as thousands of revelers descended on South Beach for the Memorial Day weekend bash that features rap artists, athletes and an assortment of celebrities.
Saturday's wet weather didn't deter the festive spirit, but it did cancel a few rooftop parties.
"We've been pretty busy. Pretty crazy due to the fact of the weather," said Rodrigo Molina, manager at the Casanova Restaurant and Lounge. "We were supposed to have three events on the rooftop, but they've been canceled."
Tourist Kera Jones said she flew down just to party and the weather wasn't going to get in the way of that.
"Listen, we came down here to have fun all the way from Jersey and we plan on doing it regardless of the rain or not," Jones told
CBS4 Reporter Tiffani Helberg.
One woman pulled out her shower cap showing
CBS4's Tiffani Helberg that it was the best way to deal with the rain. Others draped themselves with towels. Some simply kept drinking.
Many of the locals who live on the beach stay home to avoid the crowds and local business owners shut down early, or hire security.
"Basically, we were discussing whether to close," said Jamie De La Torre, owner of Cabana on South Beach. The boutique owner said he doesn't see much business during the busy weekend.
"People are into drinking and partying not shopping," said De La Torre. De La Torre is one of several businesses thinking of shutting down across the busy area of Collins Avenue near the heart of all the action.
Memorial Day on Miami Beach became huge in 2001, the first year the holiday weekend was unofficially dubbed "Urban Beach Party." Among other tourists, the 250,000 fans of hip hop head to the beach to celebrate music and fun.
While some businesses decide to close, others stay open and simply prepare for all the extra crowds. Miami Optics on Collins Avenue is one of them.
"We need the business," said Arian Gutierrez, an employee in the store. Tourists and store owners admit any money coming into Miami Beach is good, especially during these hard times.
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