Twenty-five years to the day after Hurricane Andrew made landfall to devastating effect, optimism reigned in the City of Homestead as the community gathered to celebrate the opening of Orange Bowl Field at Harris Field Park. In the wake of the Hurricane Andrew, Harris Field served as emergency housing and was commonly referred to as “tent city.” Now, thanks to a partnership between the Orange Bowl and the City of Homestead, Harris Field is a state-of-the-art football facility with new amenities for both fans and players.
“This is truly a testament to how far the City of Homestead has come and how much we have rebuilt,” said Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter. “I want to thank the Orange Bowl Committee and our City Staff who helped to make this incredible renovation possible.”
Attendees at opening ceremony will enjoyed performances by local marching bands and remarks from community leaders. Plus, free kids’ games, barbecue, and drinks. Members of the Homestead City Council, the Orange Bowl Committee, and other distinguished dignitaries were in attendance. Following the opening ceremony, Homestead Senior High School was victorious agains G. Holmes Braddock High School in the inaugural game at Orange Bowl Field.
The new Orange Bowl Field at Harris Field Park boasts a new scoreboard, new artificial turf, new fencing, new goal posts, and a new sound system. Orange Bowl Field and the surrounding area also received new concrete walkways, windscreens, and upgraded landscaping. The improvements will allow for more community use of Harris Field Park.
The Orange Bowl is a 362-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl community outreach efforts are comprised of four pillars: youth sports, fundraising and community events, academic programs and scholarships, and legacy gifts. This is the fourth legacy gift project spearheaded by the Orange Bowl, totaling over $12 million in renovated parks in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Orange Bowl Field at Harris Field Park is part of an overall effort by the City of Homestead to increase amenities and services offered to residents and visitors.