Calendars are usually a can’t-miss gift for Julie Kartrude, Key Biscayne’s Community Programs and Events Coordinator, whose dedicated work, now overseeing 21 programs and hundreds of events, has been lauded by residents and Village officials alike.<\/p>\n
“She has done amazing work,” Village Manager Steve Williamson said.<\/p>\n
Kartrude is humbled by the gratitude, but her role has become enjoyable with its rewards.<\/p>\n
“I love to see the energy and the enthusiasm of the people,” she said. “One of the recent examples is the Community Garden, where people get involved, plant what they like and they can harvest it. It’s really beautiful. They’ve done a great job.”<\/p>\n
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Julie Kartrude (middle) with community members and organizers.<\/p>\n
Kartrude organizes events for specialty groups and ongoing organizations, ranging from Scout troops, science fairs, piano concerts, holiday celebrations, community cleanups, a kid’s marketplace and even the stray cat trap-neuter-release program.<\/p>\n
“They bring all this to the community for all ages \u2026 they don’t have to leave the Key,” she said, relying on the motto, “For the Community, By the Community.”<\/p>\n
Kartrude\u2019s biggest challenge during her first 18 months on the job?<\/p>\n
“Probably de-conflicting the calendar with so many events and spreading some out,” she said. “Some are cultural, some educational, some environmental … and some are ongoing throughout the year.”<\/p>\n
Kartrude attended the University of Florida and spent time in San Diego, where she worked in marketing and organizing on-site events for a broader range of companies all over the country. She moved back to the Miami area in 2022, and two years later, she seemed the perfect fit for the Village’s community events role, which continues to expand heading into its fifth year.<\/p>\n
The Village’s mission to support community events began with just seven sponsored events in 2022.<\/p>\n
Now, the window is open (until May 8 at 4 p.m.) for groups to submit or re-submit their proposals<\/a> to a select committee for Village Council approval for the 2026-27 fiscal year.<\/p>\n A list of Key Biscayne’s community groups active in 2026.<\/p>\n Williamson said Kartrude’s work is not just getting noticed on Key Biscayne.<\/p>\n “Through her tireless work, promoting, organizing, guiding, administering and overseeing projects, Julie has elevated the program to an entirely new level,” he said. “As a result, the Village has become a model for the County and well beyond, admired for the quality and breadth of our community programming.”<\/p>\n Kartrude admits it’s not all about her but making sure the volunteers, some who have logged hundreds of community service hours, get their due as well.<\/p>\n “These groups, with their vision and their focus, have (granted) residents free access, in most cases, to cultural and all kinds of experiences,” Kartrude said. “We provide the support they need to run it.”<\/p>\n Typical weekend events might include a concert by MAST Academy students, a Saturday Fill-A-Bag cleanup, a Saturday afternoon City Theatre performance with audience participation … and the list goes on and on.<\/p>\n Asked which one might tend to be her favorite group, Kartrude paused for a moment.<\/p>\n “They’re all my children! I love them all equally,” she said. “I do love the diversity. The Film Festival is always a big deal with very passionate people.<\/p>\n “Between the staff and the mindset of residents … these groups are pretty high functioning.”<\/p>\n Williamson said Kartrude has “fully embraced” her role with the programs and has “significantly accelerated” how the Village and its residents collaborate to deliver exceptional arts and culture, as well as civic and environmentally focused initiatives.<\/p>\n When Kartrude does get some free time, she said she enjoys the outdoors, especially hiking and sailing. She also likes spending time with her lovable dog, “Banksy,” a black Portuguese sheepdog and poodle mix, rescued in San Diego.<\/p>\n It’s her connectivity with the residents that has gotten noticed.<\/p>\n “Her attention to detail, combined with her genuine passion for both the programs and the community, is evident in everything she does,\u201d Williamson said.<\/p>\n To visit the KB Community Programs and events website, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n To learn more about how to submit for funding, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n