Events
Blink and You Miss It, Look Up and You Won’t Forget It
Jets, Grit and Beachside Thunder as the Air Dot Show Hits Fort Lauderdale and the Sky Turns Up the Volume. From Thunderbirds Precision to Raptor Power, Fort Lauderdale Won’t Stay Quiet for Long.
April 9th, 2026
There’s a moment at an air show where everything else fades out.
It starts like any beach day. Music somewhere in the distance, people settling into chairs, the ocean doing its thing. Then a roar cuts through the air, and suddenly everyone is looking up.
That’s when it clicks.
The Air Dot Show Fort Lauderdale returns May 9th and 10th, and if you’ve never been, it doesn’t take long to understand why people come back year after year.
Chris Dirato, Senior Vice President of the Bitner Group, has seen that moment play out countless times.
“The Thunderbirds… that’s the real magnet,” he said.
Where the Sky Turns Into a Stage
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds don’t just fly. They perform.
Tight formations, perfectly timed passes, aircraft moving so close together it feels like they’re connected. It’s controlled, calculated, and still somehow looks unreal.
Dirato pointed out something people feel without always realizing it.
Air shows carry a built-in energy.
“Air shows inherently are patriotic in nature,” he said.
That energy only ramps up this year with the 250th anniversary of the country woven into the entire Air Dot Show tour. Each stop, including Fort Lauderdale, carries that added significance.
“We’re very proud to put forth these kinds of shows,” he said, noting that every event on the tour stands as part of that larger celebration.
When the Raptor Shows Up, Everything Changes
There’s a difference between impressive and hard to process.
The F-22 Raptor falls into the second category.
“It’s the most maneuverable fighter jet in the world,” Dirato said, still sounding impressed even after seeing it again and again. “Every time I see it… I’m amazed. You just look at it and go, how is that possible?”
That reaction isn’t unique. It’s almost expected.
The Raptor doesn’t just fly. It bends expectations midair.
Then a Helicopter Steals the Show
Just when it feels like nothing else could top it, the Red Bull Air Force helicopter enters the picture.
And suddenly the rules change again.
“You watch that helicopter… doing all these maneuvers… and you say, how does a helicopter do that?” Dirato said.
It’s not supposed to move like that. That’s the point.
What the Crowd Feels, the Pilots Feel Too
From the beach, it’s easy to get lost in the spectacle.
From the cockpit, it’s something else entirely.
Dirato referenced conversations with demonstration pilots who can see everything from above. Packed beaches. Thousands of people lined up along the shoreline. Energy building with every pass.
“They get charged up over it,” he said.
That connection runs both ways.
Fort Lauderdale, in particular, has a reputation for showing up.
“We’ve always had packed beaches,” he said.
The Part You Don’t See
What looks effortless from the ground comes from repetition most people never witness.
Pilots train relentlessly leading into the season. Daily flights. Multiple runs. Every move rehearsed until it becomes instinct.
“They spend months… practicing daily, sometimes two and three times a day,” Dirato said.
And once they’re in the air, the physical demands don’t ease up.
“They’re pushing upwards of 9 Gs,” he added.
That’s the kind of pressure that requires elite conditioning just to handle, let alone perform under.
“They have to be in great shape,” he said.
Behind every pass is a full team as well. A large team makes sure everything is dialed in so pilots can push those limits safely.
A Different Kind of Inspiration
There’s another layer to all of this that often hits quietly.
Air shows aren’t just about what’s happening in the moment. They can shift how someone sees their future.
“They can be an educational moment for kids,” Dirato said.
A day at the beach turns into something else when a kid looks up and realizes that flying like that isn’t just something in movies.
It’s real. And it’s possible.
Fort Lauderdale Has Its Own Feel
Every city on the tour brings something different. Fort Lauderdale stands out.
“There’s a pizzazz to it,” Dirato said, pointing to the stretch along A1A where the beach, hotels, and skyline all become part of the experience.
People watching from balconies. Crowds filling the sand. Boats lined up offshore. It all blends together into one continuous viewing area.
And it’s not something you rush through.
“You get yourself a good spot… and spend the day there,” he said.
In and out of the water. Eyes back to the sky. Repeat.
The Reaction Says Everything
Ask anyone who’s seeing it for the first time and the response tends to land in the same place.
“Awe,” Dirato said.
He compared it to a ballet in the sky. Smooth, precise, almost too clean to fully process in real time.
Except this version comes with jet engines.
Why It Keeps Pulling People Back
There’s no real substitute for it.
Dirato didn’t overcomplicate the final pitch.
“You want loud, boisterous excitement, amazement… come to the Fort Lauderdale Air Show,” he said.
That’s all it needs.
Once you hear it, feel it, and watch it unfold overhead, it tends to stick.
The glamour of the French Riviera arrived in Miami Beach as Melissa Odabash presented Riviera: La Côte d’Azur during PARAISO Miami Swim Week.
May 29, 2026
Before the runway began, guests explored sponsor activations throughout the venue, including cocktails from Empress 1908 Gin, pours from Maker’s Mark, refreshments from LaCroix, Australian Gold sun care products, and sweet treats from Tony’s Chocolonely. A crystal-covered MINI convertible featuring a sparkling pink palm tree quickly became one of the evening’s most photographed attractions.
As guests settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from Miami Beach to the Mediterranean coast.
Inspired by the timeless elegance and relaxed luxury of the French Riviera, the runway showcased the effortless resort style that has become synonymous with the Melissa Odabash brand. Models floated down the catwalk in sophisticated swimwear, airy coverups, crochet pieces, flowing dresses, and polished resort looks that felt equally at home in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Monaco, or Miami Beach.
A palette of crisp whites, soft neutrals, shimmering metallics, and ocean-inspired blues reinforced the coastal aesthetic, while lightweight fabrics and elegant silhouettes captured the ease of luxury vacation dressing.
The presentation celebrated more than swimwear. It embraced an entire lifestyle centered around sunshine, travel, seaside glamour, and effortless sophistication. Each look reflected the idea that great resort fashion should feel both elevated and wearable, whether spent poolside at a beach club or dining waterfront at sunset.
By blending timeless resort pieces with the romantic spirit of the Côte d’Azur, Melissa Odabash delivered one of the week’s most transportive runway experiences. For a few moments inside the PARAISO Fashion Tent, guests were no longer on Collins Avenue. They were somewhere along the sun-soaked shores of the French Riviera.
Feeling inspired to plan your next getaway? The looks featured on the runway and additional resort wear styles can be purchased through MelissaOdabash.com, offering shoppers the opportunity to bring a touch of Côte d’Azur elegance to their own summer travels.
Events
Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party Brought SPF and Swim Week Energy to Strawberry Moon
The Miami Swim Week® The Shows event mixed model casting, poolside glamour, sunscreen touch-ups, and a very South Beach kind of scene.
May 26, 2026
Miami Swim Week® The Shows is known for runway lights, bold swimwear, and a little bit of beautiful chaos, but Neutrogena brought the action poolside with its Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party at Strawberry Moon.
Set against the hotel’s dreamy pastel pool deck, the event felt less like a traditional casting call and more like a sun-soaked Swim Week hangout with a purpose. Models moved around the pool in swimwear, guests mingled under turquoise umbrellas, and the whole scene had that perfect Miami mix of fashion, beauty, heat, and “wait, is this a casting or a party?” energy.
The pool became the runway for the afternoon, with models walking along the water in front of Miami Swim Week® The Shows signage. It was casual, but still camera-ready. Instead of a stiff casting room, Neutrogena created a setting that felt alive, social, and very on-brand for Miami. There were bikinis, heels, palm trees, pool reflections, and enough sunlight to make the SPF message feel extremely relevant.
At the center of the event was Neutrogena’s bright activation area, complete with Ultra Sheer sunscreen products, yellow-and-white towels, and the perfect pool party reminder: “Arrive. Apply. Unwind.” Guests could check out the sunscreen lineup while taking in the casting atmosphere around them. It gave the whole afternoon a smart beauty angle without taking away from the fun.
The best part was how naturally everything fit together. Miami Swim Week is all about swimwear, bodies, beach culture, and confidence, so a sunblock casting pool party made perfect sense. Neutrogena did not just set up a table and call it a day. The brand turned SPF into part of the event experience, making sunscreen feel like the accessory everyone actually needed.
The atmosphere was playful and relaxed, with guests moving between the pool, the Neutrogena station, and nearby brand activations. Liquid Youth also added to the beauty-meets-wellness vibe with colorful collagen drinks, giving attendees another reason to stop, sip, and stay a little longer.
By moving the casting call into a pool party setting, Neutrogena gave Miami Swim Week a daytime moment that felt fresh, social, and easy to enjoy. It had the structure of a fashion event, the vibe of a South Beach pool day, and just enough glam to remind everyone that this was still Swim Week.
In a city where the sun is basically a main character, Neutrogena’s Sunblock Model Casting Pool Party was a natural fit. It brought together models, beauty lovers, swimwear energy, and SPF in one bright, splashy afternoon.
At Strawberry Moon, the message was simple: show up, get seen, protect the glow, and maybe get cast while you’re at it.
Veggies Made Great helped fuel a family-friendly weekend of free workouts, paddleboarding, coffee, small bites, and feel-good fun at 96th Street Park.
May 18, 2026
Surfside brought the good vibes this weekend with Paddletopia 2026, a two-day wellness and outdoor lifestyle event that turned 96th Street Park into a sunny little hub for movement, community, and family-friendly fun.
Held on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the event welcomed kids, adults, fitness lovers, coffee drinkers, paddleboarders, and anyone looking for a fresh-air weekend by the water. The best part? So many of the experiences were free, making it easy for families and locals to drop in, move around, and enjoy the day without overthinking it.
The workout classes were a highlight, bringing plenty of energy to the park with approachable, upbeat sessions that made wellness feel fun instead of intimidating. Between the fitness classes, paddleboarding, live music, wellness activations, and relaxed outdoor atmosphere, Paddletopia had that perfect South Florida mix of active and easygoing.
Of course, no great weekend event is complete without good bites. Veggies Made Great, an official event partner, kept guests fueled with complimentary samples of their veggie-packed favorites, including the Spinach Egg White Frittata and Lemon Blueberry Muffin. The samples were a smart fit for the day: light, wholesome, tasty, and easy to enjoy between activities. Paired with coffee and other small bites available throughout the event, it made for the kind of simple, satisfying spread that both kids and adults could get behind.
The event also had a thoughtful environmental angle through the “Paddle for Plastic” initiative with Plastic Fisherman, encouraging attendees to help clean Surfside canals in exchange for eco-friendly rewards. It added a meaningful layer to the weekend, blending wellness, community, and environmental care in a way that felt natural for a coastal town like Surfside.
Overall, Paddletopia 2026 felt like exactly what a South Florida weekend should be: outdoorsy, welcoming, active, delicious, and just a little bit sun-kissed. From free fitness classes to better-for-you snacks and community-focused fun, Surfside gave families a reason to get outside and enjoy the best of wellness by the water.
To bring a little of that Paddletopia feel-good energy home, check out more of the veggie-packed muffins, frittatas, and easy breakfast favorites from Veggies Made Great at https://www.veggiesmadegreat.com/
Gale Miami Pairs Skyline Views, Serene Spa Moments and Casa Gianna’s Italian Comfort for a Downtown Mother’s Day Escape.
Morikami Serves a Mother’s Day Worth Savoring with Garden Views, Homemade Flavor and Heart.
(more…)
Las Olas Wine & Food Festival Celebrated Three Decades of Culinary Chaos, Cocktail Creativity and Charitable Goodness. (more…)
No Chaser Needed as Tequila Town Delivers Straight Shots of Culture, Connection and Cocktails With a Kick in Miami.
(more…)
Sips, Sand and Small Bites Set the Tone as SAVOR SoFLO Festival Serves Up a Beachside Tease of What Could Grow Into Something Bigger. (more…)
Beetlejuice Turns Grief Into Theatrical Magic
Melissa Odabash Brings the French Riviera to PARAISO Miami Swim Week
Machine Gun Kelly Unleashed
-
Entertainment2 weeks agoThe Wick Gets Gloriously Cher’d in Boca
-
Events3 weeks ago
A Mother’s Day Escape with Gale Force Flavor
-
Attractions3 weeks ago
Morikami Turns Mother’s Day into Lasting Memories
-
Music2 weeks ago
Lightning Delays, Late Nights, and a Legendary Weekend at Welcome to Rockville 2026
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
Boca Black Box Flips Out With Laughter
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Marcus Monroe Brings Double Laughs to Boca Tomorrow
-
Attractions2 weeks ago
Balloon Museum Floats Into Miami With Pop Air: Art is Inflatable
-
Music2 weeks ago
Pitbull Launches “I’m Back” Tour with a Sweaty, Sold-Out South Florida Fiesta
