On Jan. 7, 1990, an accident occurred at the Three Kings Day Parade run by radio station WQBA. Miami High School's marching band, a parade participant, was preparing a special routine using flaming batons when someone accidentally dropped a can of flammable fluid. It caught fire, and another student kicked the can away. It landed in an area occupied by spectators, burning several. Many legal claims resulted, including the present suit filed by parade sponsors against the Dade County School Board. At trial, the sponsors won an award of $2,035,000.00, and the School Board appealed.