Venezuelan singer Virggi, right, performs at Calle Ocho 2006. AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez

Speak up!

By Aurora Rodriguez

Twenty years ago, Gloria Estefan invited 119,969 partiers at Calle Ocho to sway to the beat of her hit, Conga, resulting in the Guinness World Record for largest conga line.

But this is the 30th anniversary of Calle Ocho, so why not go bigger and better? This year, organizers of the world-famous street party want to break their own record and get an even larger crowd to shake it to Cuban singer Albita Rodriguez's upbeat conga tune, 30 Años de Calle Ocho. Around 3 p.m. Sunday, all musical stages at Calle Ocho will stop for the song and start the dancing frenzy.

"We hope to have more than 200,000 people dance conga at Calle Ocho at the same time," said Sylvia Vieta, director of community relations with the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana. ''In the end, our idea is to bring families and people together for a day of fun and culture. Everyone brings their culture's flag; [they come] to hear the music, taste the food and represent where they come from."

Calle Ocho got its humble start in 1978 as a 15-block party celebrating everything Cubano and it has grown into 23 blocks jam-packed with musical stages, children's activities, food booths and unique vendors representing a variety of Latin American cultures. The parade of people along Little Havana's Southwest Eighth Street, from Fourth to 27th Avenues, is the finale of 17-day Miami Carnaval 2008.

The festival raises about $100,000 a year for the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana's scholarship program, which helps around 55 students yearly.

Ross Jimenez, chairperson and organizer of Calle Ocho at the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, said this year's event will hopefully be the biggest Calle Ocho party in history.

"We invite everyone to come party with us, bring the family and enjoy what will be a spectacular celebration," he said.

The 30th Calle Ocho festival is all about celebrating milestones, so along with trying to break the Guinness conga dancing record, Carnaval organizers plan to get the most people playing dominoes at the same time.

Old Spice, the USA Domino Federation and festival organizers expect more than 400 players will gather at the Old Spice Pavilion by 15th Avenue North to show off their best domino shuffling skills at the tournament, from noon to 5 p.m.

Ricardo González, president of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, said the organization aims to break attendance records as well. In 1983, the event broke the one million mark, according to Kiwanis.

"We look forward to greeting over one million people coming in and out throughout the day once more," González said.

Looking to be a part of the celebration? Check out our guide to the music, food and the best freebies you can snag at Miami's ultimate Hispanic block party.

What's on the menu

There's no need for a passport to sample international food at Calle Ocho, where more than 400 vendors will be enticing guests with comfort food from many nationalities.

Looking to taste something new? Or just craving your abuela's meaty pinchos con pan?

Follow your nose to these treats and more.

Bacalaitos Fritos: The fried codfish fritters will help local boricuas reminisce about beachside shacks selling the deliciously greasy concoctions.

Arepas: The portable corn-based patties are filled with melted cheese.

Cuban sandwiches: A Miami staple: Cuban bread layered with ham, salami, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard.

Gyros: The Greek treat makes it to Calle Ocho -- savor the well-seasoned shaved lamb or beef pita sandwiches.

Come and get it, it's free

Love to collect free samples? Here are some of the giveaways being offered at Calle Ocho, and where to grab 'em (locations are subject to change).

• Lipton's mango cream tea at the Unilever Foods booth near Southwest 25th Avenue.

• Maybelline makeup and Garnier hair products by Southwest 25th Avenue.

• A free pulled pork sandwich at the National Pork Board pavilion between Southwest 23rd and 24th avenues.

• Café Pilon café Cubano, between Southwest 22nd and 23rd avenues.

• Free phone cards at the AT&T site between Southwest 22nd and 23rd avenues and Southwest 17th and 18th avenues.

• Plastic bottled Fanta drinks between Southwest 18th and 19th avenues and Southwest 14th and 15th avenues.

• Fabuloso household cleaner at the Colgate site between Southwest 13th and 14th avenues.

• Monster Energy drinks between Southwest 10th and 11th avenues, and Southwest 9th and 10th avenues.

• The new Rumba Energy Juice at Southwest Ninth Street.

• Wet N Wild makeup and beauty products between Southwest Ninth Court and Ninth Avenue.

• Snickers candy bars by Southwest Eighth Court.

Play that funky music

If you've been to the Calle Ocho festival, you know music gets the party started and keeps it going 'til the end.

Revelers will hear Latin, hip-hop and dancehall sounds, plus surprise entertainers performing on 16 stages found along 23 blocks and it's all free. This year's big names include Rihanna, Chaka Khan, Harry Connick Jr., Flo Rida, Wyclef Jean and Herbie Hancock.

Here's a peek at some of the top acts plus five rising stars you won't want to miss, and where you'll find them (times, when available, are subject to change).

Pitbull: 1:25 p.m. with Menudo at the 27th Avenue East stage; also 12th Avenue North, 17th Avenue North.

Expect some serious booty shaking once the Miami-bred, Cuban-American rapper performs his ode to a lady's derriere and fast-paced Ay Chico (Lengua Afuera), among other hits. Pitbull's Caribbean rap, hip-hop and reggaeton sound has garnered him a legion of female fans (and guys covet his guayabera and sunglasses collection).

La India: 4:45 p.m. at 27th Avenue East; Pep Boys Vacant Lot stage.

Otherwise known as Linda Caballero, the Queen of Carnaval Miami 2008 is a passionate Bronx-bred Puerto Rican who received her famous nickname from her grandmother because of her India Taína heritage. Expect high-energy from this salsa diva, likely to perform songs from her Grammy-nominated albums Sobre el Fuego and Sola.

Flo Rida: 12th Avenue North.

Before Flo Rida, that girl sporting Apple Bottom jeans and fur-lined boots while busting some serious moves at your favorite hip-hop club was just an anonymous dancer shaking away the stress from the work week. Thanks to this Carol City native, the lady has been immortalized in his thumping hit Low, one of the most danceable tracks off his 2008 album Mail on Sunday. Expect a club atmosphere once Tramar Dillard's southern rap and crunk take over the stage.

Harry Connick Jr.: 17th Avenue South.

Talk about surprises. Singer and actor Harry Connick Jr. brings his 1950s-style funk, piano and blues style to Calle Ocho. Watch for Connick (with Renée Zellweger) in the film Chilled in Miami, set for release in 2009.

Rihanna: 17th Avenue South.

The Barbados-born Grammy and MTV Music Award winner will have you standing under her musical Umbrella with her slick dance moves, soothing voice and fast dancehall reggae and R&B sounds. Expect this songstress to perform hits like Don't Stop the Music.

Kat De Luna: 12th Avenue North.

This R&B starlet of Dominican descent and Bronx roots has the music industry swooning with her blend of dance and R&B showcased with her 2007 single featuring Elephant Man, Whine Up.

Miguelito: 27th Avenue East.

The eight-year-old Puerto Rican reggaeton and urban music artist is causing a stir thanks to his fast-paced blend of quick-witted lyrics mixed with fast-paced beats in songs like Al son de boom. Sure enough, he was signed to Daddy Yankee's Cartel Records and was a surprise guest in his 2007 tour.

Area 305: 27th Avenue East.

This Latin pop group got its name from Miami's main area code and represents Miami's diversity. Ballads and soft rock songs like the band's 2001 debut hit single, Si Tú No Estas, will make romantics happy.

Suenalo: 21st Avenue North.

Suenalo, the Latin pop-rock jam band from Little Havana, blends Afro-Cuban, Latin, R&B, rock and hip-hop.

Kevin Lyttle: 12th Avenue North.

The soca artist from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hit it big with the dancehall calypso ballad Turn Me On.

The deets

What: Calle Ocho Festival

Where: Southwest Eighth Street between Fourth and 27th avenues, Miami

When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday March 16th.

Cost: Free (except for food, beverage vendors)

Parking: Expect to pay about $5 to $10 per car (but no guarantees) to park at neighborhood residences. Or take the Metrorail to the Brickell Station, then take the Calle Ocho shuttle to the fair. Check miami-dade.gov/transit for up-to-date information.

Information: Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, 305-644-8888 or carnavalmiami.com