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South Florida High Season Arrives With Boat & Art Shows

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – South Florida will be jam packed with people this weekend ready to enjoy our great weather and great events as we kick off our busiest time of year with a weekend full of pricey boats and plenty of art.

There are four major boating and art events this weekend including the Miami International Boat Show, the Yacht & Brokerage Show, the Coconut Grove Arts Festival and the Art Wynwood contemporary art fair.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to attend these events.

The Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail takes place at three locations in Miami Beach and Miami.

Click here for a Guide To The Miami International Boat Show

The Boat Show features more than 3,000 boats, and this year, some high-end cars are also on display.

"They got the cars, the boats, the fishing boats, the power boats. I love the power boats," Bill from Cincinnati said.

The Yacht and Brokerage Show is also attracting large crowds along Collins Ave.

"We've got a 37-foot boat and we're looking for something a little big bigger so this is this is the place to come," Roger Podwoski said.

Getting to the beach won't be smooth sailing, though. Between both shows and the ongoing construction project on Alton Rd., the police department is urging visitors to allow plenty of extra time to get around.

"Come with patience," Sgt. Bobby Hernandez said.

City of Miami officers will be dealing with traffic, too.

The Coconut Grove Arts Festival will mark its 51st year with about 380 artists. The event draws about 100,000 visitors who spend an estimated $4-6 million.

"People come here looking for the real deal and they get it. There's a lot of serious artists here," said artist Michael Braun.

This year's poster artist is Alex Mijares, a local artist from Wynwood.

An estimated 150,000 people are expected to attend the Arts Festival throughout its three-day run.

The cost is $15 per person per day. The cost for Grove residents is $5.00.  Children 12 and under are free. All animals are prohibited except for certified animals assisting
disabled guests

Click here for a Guide to The Coconut Grove Arts Festival

Art Wynwood is once again cross-promoting with the Yacht & Brokerage Show in Miami Beach, running shuttles near the Fontainebleau hotel and Miami International Boat Show locations downtown.

Art Wynwood features 70 international galleries presenting emerging, cutting edge, contemporary and modern works. A unique feature is the highlight of street art, murals, pop surrealism and other genres from the contemporary underground movement.

Don't expect the crowds to let up any time soon. Still ahead for South Florida, the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Miami International Film Festival, Sony Open Tennis, Cadillac Championship golf tournament, Ultra Music Festival, Winter Music Conference and, finally, Easter in early April.

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