Red Bull Flugtag Miami, Oct 31: Free Flights Into Biscayne Bay

Bayfront Park opens its gates at 11 AM and the opening ceremonies start at noon, so the first hour goes to claiming a spot in the viewing areas. Thirty teams send homemade, human powered craft off a 30 foot deck, and one pilot rides each one into Biscayne Bay. Judges score flight distance, design and showmanship, and Halloween costumes and skits count. The last flight leaves around 3:30 PM, awards follow, and the day wraps at 4 PM. Red Bull marks its times as subject to change.

From the park, Bayside Marketplace sits just under half a mile north, about eight minutes on foot along the waterfront. Saturday hours run 10 AM to 11 PM, and waterfront tables fill as the sun drops. Skyviews Miami turns its observation wheel above the shops, Thriller speedboat runs leave from the marina, and live music plays by the bay. Individual store and restaurant hours differ from the mall hours, so check before a long dinner goes into the plan.

Reach the park between 11 AM and noon, in time for the opening ceremonies and the first launches. Entry is free and no RSVP is needed, so viewing areas go first come, first serve. Sunscreen, a hat and sealed water bottles matter more than a jacket, free stations refill bottles, and closed shoes beat sandals on pavement and grass. Collapsible chairs, blankets and small umbrellas are allowed. Outside food, glass and alcohol stay home, and vendors work the grounds. Three kitchens and bars at the end of the page stay open past 4 PM.