Bevy of events to mark Coral Gables Centennial

This year, Coral Gables is celebrating a significant milestone – its 100th anniversary.

Throughout the year, residents and visitors alike can engage in activities designed to celebrate the city’s history and unite the community.

Several community organizations in Coral Gables share their centennial anniversaries with the city. Among them include the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, which has played a pivotal role in the local economy; the University of Miami, a nationally ranked institution, and the Coral Gables Garden Club, which has championed the city’s landscaping and environmental initiatives and will unveil a sculpture at the Coral Gables Branch Library by artist Xavier Cortada honing that legacy.

The centennial celebration kicked off in December, with the annual Holiday Tree Lighting. This event marked the start of a year filled with tributes to the city’s heritage, honoring the past while envisioning the future. The festivities will culminate with a community concert at the historic Venetian Pool late in the year.

“The Path to 100” exhibition series at the Coral Gables Museum has been offering glimpses into the city’s history and the organizations and people that were pivotal in that evolution. The innovative Gables Go educational tour will use augmented reality to showcase significant landmarks in an immersive way to teach about Coral Gables’ rich history.

On April 29, the 100th anniversary of the city’s founding, “Greetings from Paradise” will premiere at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre.

Written by June Thomson Morris, this original play is about early Miami and George Merrick. The play runs four nights. A gala organized by the Coral Gables Chamber will take place on opening night and include a VIP dinner along Miracle Mile with celebrity chefs. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the chamber’s Visitor Center and the Friends of Gables Culinary Institute.

City officials agreed to have artist Morel Doucet to create a sculpture to honor the contributions of the city’s early Bahamian and Black residents through its Art in Public Places program. When completed, the sculpture will be displayed at Merrick Park across from City Hall.

Community engagement is another key aspect of the centennial, with initiatives encouraging participation.

An oral history project on the centennial website features stories of the people and organizations that have helped shape the city. When completed, it will feature 100 voices from the community. More than 40 are already available online. This project will help preserve unique stories for future generations.

A “Frame the Memory” contest invites residents and organizations to share photos that capture – and recapture – their favorite moments in Coral Gables. To further engage the community, an audio booth will be stationed every Saturday at the city’s weekly Farmers Market until March 29 to give marketgoers the opportunity to share personal memories.

Centennial celebrations will also provide family-friendly offerings, such as a special coloring book available at the city’s passport office highlighting Coral Gables’ history, a commemorative holiday ornament for purchase and a “Tree of the Year” contest to be celebrated on Arbor Day.

Additionally, the community will come together for themed bike and walking tours organized by Bike Walk Coral Gables, and Coral Gables High School students will also get a chance to participate with an essay contest competition.

UM is also organizing a series of events starting with Sprint to the Centennial. Its presence in Coral Gables has helped boost the city’s economy, foster innovation, attract talent, enhance cultural vibrancy and contribute to the development of the city these past 100 years.

Founded on April 29, 1925, by visionary developer George Merrick, Coral Gables, also known as “The City Beautiful,” has transformed from one of the nation’s first planned communities into a cultural and economic hub known for Mediterranean-style architecture, academic excellence, a center for international businesses, cutting-edge innovation and quality living.

“As we celebrate our centennial, we honor our past as we look to the future,” said Martha Pantin, the city’s director of communications and public affairs, who is leading the planning. “We are committed to honoring our rich legacy while fostering community connections.”

For updates and a complete schedule of events, visit the official centennial website at www.100coralgables.com. The site serves as a hub for sharing images, event details and stories from across the city’s history.