'Diner en Blanc' comes to Miami for 1,000 in white; location kept secret until last minute

People wave white napkins in the air during the "Diner en Blanc" event at SoundScape Park, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in Miami Beach, Fla. About a thousand people gathered at the pop-up picnic event that started in Paris in 1988 and has spread worldwide. Invitations are spread by word of mouth and the location of the dinner is kept secret until the last minute. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Diners say a toast during the "Diner en Blanc" event at SoundScape Park, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, in Miami Beach, Fla. About a thousand people gathered at the pop-up picnic event that started in Paris in 1988 and has spread worldwide. Invitations are spread by word of mouth and the location of the dinner is kept secret until the last minute. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Barbara Becker has her make-up touched up by Rebecca Warren, left, poolside at her home in Miami Beach, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014. Becker was getting ready to attend the "Diner en Blanc" event at SoundScape Park in Miami Beach. About a thousand people gathered at the pop-up picnic event that started in Paris in 1988 and has spread worldwide. Invitations are spread by word of mouth and the location of the dinner is kept secret until the last minute. Becker is the former wife of tennis player Boris Becker. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) (The Associated Press)

Kept secret until the last minute, an elegant picnic arrived at a South Beach park for 1,000 people dressed all in white.

Miami Beach is the latest city to join the international dining phenomenon known as "Diner en Blanc" (dee-NAY' ahn blahnk).

In less than an hour Tuesday night, Miami Beach Soundscape was transformed by dinner guests who had to help set up the chairs and tables before the event could begin.

"Diner en Blanc" started 26 years ago in Paris. The series has spread to 50 cities worldwide.

Invitations spread by word of mouth, and the locations of the dinners are kept secret until the last minute. Participants say the mystery is part of each dinner's allure.