Rolling With the Redland Rallye

New or recent residents may have thought about exploring the area, and the annual Redland Riot Road Rallye presents a fun-filled way to discover some of South Dade’s “hidden gems.”

Jan. 17 is the day when returnees and first-time participants will gather at historic Cauley Square to check in between 10 and 11 a.m. Teams will then proceed to 10 different stops, ending at Schnebly Redland’s Winery at the Miami Brewing Company Tap Room, where laughter and good humor will continue.

For first-timers, each car (or other vehicle) is considered a “team.”

Rallye stops include Knaus Berry Farm, Fruit and Spice Park, RF Orchids, the Homestead Town Hall Museum, the Florida Pioneer Museum, Robert Is Here fruit stand, and Schnebly Redland’s Winery and the Miami Brewing Company Tap Room.

Three new locations have been added this year: Lion Farms, Royd’s, and Soroa Orchids.

Participants are encouraged to pre-register online if possible, then sign in at 10 a.m. at Cauley Square, located at 22400 Old Dixie Highway in Miami (actually Goulds).

Teams will receive a map, driving directions, and clues to decipher while visiting locations throughout the Redland countryside, Homestead, and Florida City.

Answer sheets must be turned in by 4 p.m. at the Tap Room, where they will be scored. The crowd typically enjoys food, beverages, and socializing while answers are checked.

Winning teams are announced at 5:30 p.m., though ties are common and additional questions are often used as tie-breakers. Prizes featuring local items will be awarded to the winner or winners.

While one of the new stops, Royd’s, offers a full menu, other locations have food or beverages available, including fruit-based milkshakes, pastries, and sandwiches. Although most stops accept credit cards, carrying cash is recommended.

Comfortable walking shoes are also advised.

Additional lunch options will be passed along the route or located nearby, including Chef on the Run on East Mowry Drive in Homestead.

Even if participants don’t have time to linger at stops such as the Homestead Town Hall Museum or sit down for a meal at Capri or MayaMex in Florida City, many come away thinking, “We’ll have to come back here soon.”

Another approach is simply visiting the stops without focusing on the clues. Either way, the day promises to be an adventure.

By way of history, various branches of the Burr family have lived in South Florida for multiple generations. Rob and Robin Burr began the rallye as a lighthearted idea among friends, and as word spread, it grew into an event that veteran teams look forward to each year. It also offers first-timers that familiar realization: “I had no idea this was here.”

The cost to participate is $20 per team.

More details and advance registration are available at redlandriot.com.