NORTH MIAMI, FL (May 12, 2025)
Sunday, May 18, in honor of Haitian Flag Day, the City of North Miami invites residents and visitors to participate in a day of events including the 2nd Annual “PEDALE 1804: 18.04 Mile TriCity Bike Ride” and the “Taste of NoMi: Gou Lakay.”
This year’s Haitian Heritage Month theme, “Nou La: Haitian Footprints in America,” set the tone for this dynamic cultural celebration. It highlights the enduring contributions of Haitian Americans, while fostering civic pride, unity, and visibility across three South Florida municipalities: North Miami, North Miami Beach, and City of North Miami.
The Bike ride will begin and end at MOCA Plaza, 770 NE 125th Street, North Miami, FL 33161. Registration opens at 6 a.m., with wheels hitting the road promptly at 6:30 a.m. The stops include Toussaint Louverture Memorial Statue, Little Haiti Cultural Complex, and Green Space Miami.
“This initiative celebrates more than heritage — it celebrates our presence, our perseverance, and our progress,” said John Lorfils, Interim Deputy City Manager and Co-Chairman of the Haitian Heritage Month Committee. “Haitian Flag Day is about amplifying Haitian American voices, investing in future leaders, and showing that “NOU LA” — we are here, we belong, and we’re thriving.”
While the symbolic 18.04-mile route commemorates the year Haiti gained its independence and traverses key landmarks throughout North Miami and neighboring cities, the Taste of NoMi: Gou Lakay food festival provides insight into the culinary traditions of Haiti.
If you are not a cyclist, but would like to participate, the City of North Miami will be offering the following activities:
- The Wellness Oasis: An activation on MOCA Plaza for non-riders to participate in group workouts, mindfulness sessions, and rejuvenating wellness experiences
- Scholarship Presentation: $1804 scholarships will be awarded to outstanding local students in honor of Haiti’s independence
- Ti Mache at MOCA Plaza: A vibrant pop-up farmer’s market featuring, Haitian-owned, sourced, and produced products and businesses
- Taste of NoMi: Gou Lakay: A food festival and culinary competition, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., celebrating Haitian flavors and the chefs who bring them to life
To register for the ride, please visit 1804BikeRide.Eventbrite.com. For more information about Haitian Heritage Month festivities in North Miami, visit NorthMiamiFL.gov/Celebrate.
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Media Contact
SaVanna D. Smith, Communications Officer II
305-893-6511, Ext. 12156
ssmith@northmiamifl.gov
About the City of North Miami
North Miami is a suburban city located in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is roughly 10 miles (16 km) north of Miami. The city lies on Biscayne Bay which surrounds the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. North Miami is home to a diverse demographic of residents. With more than 64,000 residents, North Miami is the sixth largest city in Miami-Dade County. We are home to the Oleta River State Park; the largest urban park in the Florida State Park System and the nationally accredited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA North Miami).