Paying tribute to Cuban & Latin actors, writers, artists and musicians, the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame celebrates the many individuals that have helped shape the Little Havana community. The effort to do so has brought residents together to discuss what sort of people they want to highlight while creating an attraction that has captured the attention of audiences from all over the region and beyond.
Also Known as the Little Havana Paseo de las Estrellas
Also known as the Little Havana Paseo de las Estrellas (Walk of Stars), the collective landmark is centered around Calle Ocho (Southwest Eighth Street), which defines the Little Havana neighborhood. The Walk of Fame runs between 12th and 17th Avenue and was approved by the city of Miami in 1988 to specifically recognize Latinx celebrities.
The pink tile stars feature the names of Latin stars such as Gloria Estefan and Celia Pablo Raúl Alarcónz. The first artist ever to be honored with a star on the famous sidewalk was Celia Cruz. After adding various new names and people over the years, the sidewalk features more than 20 names to define and impact the space and neighborhood in multiple ways
Various institutions have actively cultivated their presence along the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame. This has resulted in establishments actively supporting the creation of new stars to literally bring attention and activity to their doorstep.
Questions about who should and shouldn’t receive stars along the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame have cultivated discussions across the community, highlighting the attention that such landmarks can draw from locals. That openness has enabled the creation of sponsorships, providing a new means of support for the landmark. Doing so showcases what it means to capture the hearts and minds of both residents and visitors, enabling connection and activity on multiple levels.
Imagining Engagement on a New Level
There are various Walks of Fame and other creative means of celebrating communities located across the world, but the imaginative manner in which the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame has chosen and celebrates the individuals it honors makes it distinct. Fitting in perfectly with the setting and character of Little Havana, the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame has come to serve as a unique attraction for the area that is both part of the community and also something that visitors can engage with in multiple ways, allowing it to attract attention from across Miami and beyond.
