On the upcoming Sunday, April 26, the Hot Wheels collecting community in Cuba will celebrate its monthly meeting at the Almendares Park in Havana, under the bridge, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event was organized by Néstor Gómez through a reel on Instagram, where he invites families, children, and adults to participate in a day of exhibitions, buying and selling model cars, and scale car races.
Hot Wheels is the line of 1:64 scale die-cast miniature cars produced by the American company Mattel, launched in 1968 with 16 initial models known as the "Sweet Sixteen".
Each model is a 1:64 scale reproduction of the actual size of the vehicle, featuring a level of detail that has made the brand a global cultural phenomenon with limited editions, collaborations with real manufacturers, and a legion of adult collectors seeking rare pieces such as the Redlines from 1968 to 1972.
In Cuba, the brand primarily arrived in the 1990s through family members abroad and travelers, and its community of collectors has steadily grown through groups on social media where models are bought, sold, and traded.
The event at Parque Almendares will feature scale model car exhibitions, realistic models, replicas of classic Cuban cars seen on the streets of Havana, and even a miniature electric motorcycle, as well as a buying and selling area for those who wish to acquire or part with pieces from their collection.
As a new feature in this edition, the event includes races in two categories: one for children and another for adults.
"Don't think that even the adults don't get happier than the children themselves," the organizer pointed out in his announcement.
Gómez framed the meeting as an opportunity to escape the difficult daily life on the island: "Take a little time to step away from the routine and the blackouts, don't stress so much at home, come over."
The comments on the post reflect that blend of nostalgia, enthusiasm, and the challenges of the Cuban context.
One person recalled, "In my living room, there wasn't room for another track when my son was little." Another lamented not being able to attend: "If the gas prices weren't so bad, I would go." There was also someone who joked about the financial impact: "If I go with my son, I'll end up broke." And one voice summed up the surprise of many: "I never thought that would happen here in Cuba."
Among the wishes expressed by the followers, one stands out that points to the community's growth potential: "I hope it expands to all provinces."
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