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Vice Mayor Bolton Plans Initiative to Bring Two Major Festivals to Tamarac

by David Volz July 13, 2026

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Vice Mayor Bolton Plans Initiative to Bring Two Major Festivals to Tamarac 5

{Miami Jr Carnival}

Two new festivals are coming to Tamarac.

At the July 8 meeting, the commission passed a resolution supporting Vice Mayor Marlon Bolton’s economic development and tourism initiative to establish the Red Road J’Ouvert Festival and the Miami Broward Kids Carnival as annual events in Tamarac.

According to Bolton, the J’Ouvert Festival will take place on October 9 at either the Sports Complex or Tamarac Village Amphitheater.

The Carnival is planned for October 3 at the Tamarac Sports Complex.

“Both events will be big and establish Tamarac as a place people will want to come to,” said Bolton.

Bolton said destination events have proven to be effective economic development tools by increasing hotel occupancy, generating visitor spending, and supporting restaurants and retailers. He said the Red Road J’Ouvert Festival will become an annual destination event that attracts thousands of visitors and creates economic benefits for the community.

The Carnival will celebrate Caribbean culture and become an important annual event that will increase visitation, stimulate commerce, support the hospitality industry, and expand tourism, according to Bolton.

No specific funding plans or costs for the two events have been determined. Organizers will seek grants and offer sponsorship opportunities and marketing initiatives to pay for them.

Bolton said he could not provide specific information on the costs of holding the festivals or how much revenue they could generate, but he said they would benefit the city.

He said, “This will be a family-friendly celebration with a youth masquerade competition, steel band performance, and other fun activities.”

Mayor Michelle J. Gomez said she would not support the festivals because she did not have enough information on the financial situation.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.