MIAMI, FL – The Miami HEAT Charitable Fund raised over $450,000 during its 14th Annual Miami HEAT Family Festival hosted at Miami’s Watson Island on Sunday, March 20, 2011. Presented by Carnival Cruise Lines, the event benefited the Jackson Memorial Foundation’s Guardian Angels, the Miami Coalition for a Safe & Drug-Free Community, and the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund, and was the most successful in terms of tickets sold and monies raised in the event’s 14-year history.
The Miami HEAT Family Festival, which is the Miami HEAT Charitable Fund’s largest annual fundraiser, is a themed, interactive, carnival-like celebration in which HEAT players, coaches, celebrities and families come together for a day of fun, family and feasting. The Festival featured a dining extravaganza drawing the top restaurants and chefs from all over South Florida. Families enjoyed countless interactive activities with HEAT players, coaches and their families, and provided a memorable experience for guests of all ages.
This year’s Caribbean themed event featured the entire Miami HEAT team and coaching staff with live music by Danger Flow, special appearances by DJ Irie, the Miami HEAT Dancers, Burnie the mascot, in-arena P.A. announcer, Michael B., the Golden Oldies, HEAT Banana Man, interactive children’s areas, a silent auction and much more. In addition, Ky-Mani Marley, son of reggae legend Bob Marley, hosted a live concert for the Festival’s guests. In addition, surprise special guest Marcia Griffiths, the "Queen of Reggae" performed her hit song "Electric Boogie" the song which spawned the oft-performed dance the Electric Slide.
