MIAMI – South Florida, it’s time to start your engines. The Miami Grand Prix starts Friday!
Racing on the track is revving up this weekend and so are the parties.
This weekend’s events are not only bringing out the best in racing, but A-list stars and world class DJs have come to South Florida for Grand Prix weekend.
Every time Formula 1 rolls into town, South Florida turns into a non-stop celebration, from trackside takeovers to high-speed parties.
“I don’t think the track has ever see anything quite like it,” Harbour Club owner James Julius said.
Harbour Club -- usually a members only joint -- is throwing open its doors for race week with after parties.
“We’ve been open for over four months and prepping for three months,” Julius said.
And they’re bringing the party to the track too.
“We are doing a very over-the-top takeover at the track,” Julius said. “We’re doing all three days. We are bringing some of the crazy art here from Harbour Club along with our food.”
“How much art work are you bringing?” Local 10’s Alexis Frazier asked.
“Roughly about $5 million worth of art,” Julius said.
And if you want the track experience, off the track, head to Wynwood Marketplace.
“Racing Fan Fest is a four-day, free festival,” Swarm Vice President Michael Davidson said. “We’re the largest event off the track happening for Miami Grand Prix weekend.”
Fan Fest will have live DJs, food and drinks, and a fan-favorite -- the pit stop challenge.
“You get to race somebody else, changing the tire of one of these F1 cars, so you go head-to-head with somebody,” Davidson explained. “There are also simulators. You will be able to race the circuit and compete against friends or somebody else, or even against professional times.”
The family-friendly event turns into a party at night.
The nightlife in Miami is also shifting into high gear for the weekend.
“It’s going to be huge -- we have Black Coffee, Tiesto, John Summit and LIV Sunday, we have a special performance which we haven’t announced yet,” Adam Borden, the Vice President of nightlife at LIV, said.
You can catch it all inside LIV at the Fontainebleau hotel.
“The girls are going to be dressed up in F1 outfits with like race flags, some of the lighting is going to be completely transformed and this room is going to feel insane and star-studded,” Borden said. “So some of our nights are already sold out, so yes, you need to prepare early.”
And if you want to party like a champion, head to E11EVEN Miami, where you might just find yourself in the winner’s circle.
“We kicked that off Wednesday night with a live performance from Rick Ross. Thursday we have Diplo, Friday we have Nelly performing, Saturday, 50 cent -- iconic. And then the closing party is Afro Jack on Sunday where often the winners of the race end up showing up here with the racing teams. It happened every year so far, so I hope we keep that tradition,” E11EVEN operating partner Gino Lopinto said. “It used to be Disney -- now they come to E11EVEN!”
For more information about the Miami Grand Prix, click here.