Miami is putting its own spin on traditional holiday pardons, this time with oink instead of gobble. In a city twist that beats the banal turkey pardon, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, spearheading the 6th Annual Pig Pardoning Ceremony, will be granting mercy to two pigs named Travis and Taylor, sparing them from the Noche Buena spit typically adorning Miami's festive tables. According to NBC Miami, this event is set to unfold at 9:30 a.m. at Latin Café 2000 in Brickell, where Cuban food will serve as a flavorful backdrop while the pigs enjoy their newfound freedom.
The rescue pigs, named by Valerie and Melanie Barrios, the daughters of owners Alfonso and Lina Marena Berrio, are not just any farmyard animals, they are now a celebrity tribute, and this duo owes its name to pop icon Taylor Swift and football titan Travis Kelce, giving the locals a bit of glitz amid the holiday tradition; "Spectators are invited to take part in the ceremony that is set to kick off at 9:30 a.m. at Latin Café 2000 in Brickell, which will be serving up Cuban food throughout Miami-Dade County," as NBC Miami reported.
Not to be outshined by its porcine honorees, Latin Café 2000 promises a feast for the senses and the belly. Dishing out complimentary spinach croquetas and homemade Cuban cafecito to enthusiastic attendees, Secret Miami highlighted the eatery's festive contributions.
But what's in the cards for the piggy pair post-pardon? They're trotting off to the green pastures of the Bonanza Equestrian Center in Miami-Dade County's horse country, proving that sometimes all one needs to escape the roast is a couple of high-profile namesakes and a city willing to swap out their holiday traditions for animal advocacy to join the 11 previously pardoned peers, "The pigs will find a forever home at the sprawling Bonanza Equestrian Center in Miami-Dade County’s horse country," as Secret Miami mentioned in hopeful finality to the oinkers' tale.
