1983 to 2023 – Theme, Grand Marshal, Chairs and Highlights
WINTERFEST is best known for its spectacular Boat Parade. The nighttime flotilla of brightly decorated yachts started in 1971. Spurred by the continued popularity of that event, a not-for-profit organization, WINTERFEST, Inc., was formed in 1988. Below are brief highlights:
1983
“A Tropical Fantasy” is chosen as the first WINTERFEST theme. Participating boats add animation and props to interpret the theme.
1984
WINTERFEST goes national with Boat Parade Grand Marshal Willard Scott, famed meteorologist of NBC’s Today Show.
Poster Artist: Don Eighnie
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
“WINTERFEST Beach Ball” is added as an event and nearly 40,000.
Boat Parade Chairman: Dick Burkle
1985
Parade Theme: “Tropical Treasures”
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
WINTERFEST Ball joins the roster of events.
Boat Parade Chairman: Diane Simonsen
1986
Parade Theme: “Magic Memories”
Winterfest and the Boat Parade of Greater Fort Lauderdale
Grand Marshals: Willard Scott – NBC Today Show and Gary Collins (Hour Magazine)
Poster Artist: Forsyth Agency
Boat Parade Chairs: Kaye Pearson and Michael C. Weymouth
Ball Chair: Family Beach Ball – Tony Novia
President: Ina Lee
Executive Director: Diane Grow
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
This year’s Beach Ball entertained thousands with the Grammy Award winning group, The Commodores.
6,000 bleachers at Birch State Park
1987
Parade Theme: “Daydreams of a Child”
Grand Marshal: Willard Scott – NBC Today Show
Poster Artists: Jenniver Camameros and Milissa Edwards – Art Institute
Boat Parade Chairs: Ken Denisen and Cindy Kieley
Ball Chair: Ina Lee (ball date: December 17)
President: Ina Lee
Executive Director: Diane Grow
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
“Bob Hope’s Christmas Special” uses Winterfest as the backdrop for the show- An estimated 42 million TV viewers.
Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show and TV Guide mentioned the event.
Golf Tournament is added.
Winterfest becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (Richard G. Clark – Chamber President)
1988
Parade Theme: “Love in Any Language“
Grand Marshals: Dan Marino and Jeanne Wolf (Entertainment Tonight)
Poster Artist: Dana Hall
Boat Parade Chairman: Fred Perry
Chairman of the Board: Richard E. Allen, Jr.
President: Diane Grow
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
New event called “Light Up Lauderdale.”
The New Year’s Eve extravaganza attracts 30,000 people to Downtown Fort Lauderdale.
1989
Parade Theme: “Light Up The World”
Grand Marshals: Regis Philbin and Cathy Lee Crosby
Poster Artist:
Boat Parade Chairman: Todd Rush
Ball Chair: Ginny Miller
Shoreline Chairman: Steve Casper (thru Realtors)
Chairman of the Board: Jeffery H. Beck
President: Diane Grow
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Boat Parade gets more national exposure when it is highlighted on “Live With Regis and Kathy Lee.”
1990
Parade Theme: Winterfest Sunshine Festival – “All The World’s A Stage”
Grand Marshal: Lee Majors
Boat Parade Chairman: Fred Perry
Ball Chair: Ginny Miller
Shoreline Chairman: Steve Casper (thru Realtors)
Chairman of the Board: Jeffery H. Beck – Sunshine Festival
Richard Giannini – President – Blockbuster Bowl
President & CEO – Diane Grow – Sunshine Festival / Winterfest, Inc.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Winterfest aligns with the Blockbuster Bowl and changes its name to the Sunshine Festival, which expands its schedule of events to run throughout the year..
Larry Drake aboard the Santa Claus Showboat
The Simpsons aboard the WSVN Sunshine Festival Showboat
1991
Parade Theme: “Reflections on the Water”
Grand Marshal: Joan Rivers
Boat Parade Chairman: Fred Perry
Ball Chairs: Mr. & Mrs. Emmett McTigue
Shoreline Chairman: Steve Casper (thru Realtors)
Chairman of the Board: Joseph Millsaps
Executive Director: Carol L. Hobbs
Executive Assistant: Dawn Diehl
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
The festival reclaims its former and better-known name, WINTERFEST, and focuses on producing events that brought success to the festival.
Swap Shop Circus Barge, complete with elephants, bears, acrobats and clowns as well as a Broward County Transit floating bus are in the parade.
The Black Tie Ball and Blockbuster Bowl Reception attracts 700 guests entertained by the Four Tops.
1992
Parade Theme: “One Enchanted Evening” – December 19th
Grand Marshals: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Ed McMahon
Poster Artist: Forsyth Agency
Boat Parade Chairman: Fred Perry
Ball Chair: Virginia Miller
Shoreline Chairman: Steve Casper
President/Chairman of the Board: Joseph Millsaps
Executive Director: Sandy Pierce
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas headline the Black Tie Ball and Blockbuster Reception.
Live attendance at the Boat Parade swells to more than 750,000.
Lisa Scott listed as a volunteer – Ball Committee
1993
Parade Theme: “Tropical Fantasy of Lights“
Grand Marshal: Regis Philbin
Boat Parade Chairman: Fred Perry
Ball Chair: Cindy Rodriguez
Shoreline Chairman:
President/Chairman of the Board: Virginia I. Miller
Executive Director: Sandy Pierce
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
7 minutes of highlights of the Boat Parade on his nationally syndicated “Live with Regis and Kathie Lee” television show the Monday after the parade
The Spinners headline the elegant WINTERFEST Ball and CARQUEST Bowl Reception. Television coverage expands to three new markets, Chicago, Boston and Atlanta.
1994
Parade Theme: “Coral Serenade“
Grand Marshal: Regis Philbin
Poster Artist:
Boat Parade Chairman: Stacey Hallberg
Ball Chairs: Cindy Rodriguez and Micki Lindemann
Shoreline Chairs: Steve Casper and Jon Stage
President/Chairman of the Board: Virginia Miller
Executive Director: Sandy Pierce
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Continental Airlines – First time Winterfest had a named Title Sponsor of Parade
The television coverage of the parade has expanded to over 34 million households from Miami, Chicago, Boston and Atlanta.
The program was shown live on the Sunshine Network and televised on independent cable.
The headlining act at the Black Tie ball is “Dion.”
Sno White decorated the Grand Marshal Showboat
1995
Parade Theme: “Winter Wonderland“
Grand Marshal: George Hamilton
Boat Parade Chairman: Stacey Hallberg
Ball Chairs: Micki Lindemann and Cindy Rodriguez
Shoreline Chairman: Steve Casper
President/Chairman of the Board: David K. Blattner
Executive Director: Michael L. McMurry
Corporate and Community Relations Manager: Lisa B. Scott
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Gavin MacLeod (Love Boat) is in the parade
“America’s Most Watched Boat Parade” – 750,000 parade-goers
Black Tie Ball hosted on Princess Cruise Ship- Sun Princess. Over 800 people attend.
Charities: Sun-Sentinel Santa Fund and the Adam Walsh Children’s Fund
Creation of the Don Moore Award (designer of parade entries: 1985 to 1994) – need to confirm
Television Special Commentator – Willard Scott (Today Show)
1996
Parade Theme: “By the Lights of the Silvery Moon” – 25th Anniversary
Grand Marshals: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse
Poster Artist: Forsyth Agency
Boat Parade Chairman: Stacey Hallberg
Ball Chair: Martha Forsyth
President/Chairman of the Board: David K. Blattner
Executive Director: Lisa Scott
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS – New Name of the Parade: Continental Airlines Boat Parade
WSVN Channel 7 and Comcast Communications collaborate to provide WINTERFEST with an extravagant television program that is syndicated all over the world.
Stephen Heard (Marketing Director)
1997
Parade Theme: “Hail the Decks with Bells and Holly“
Grand Marshals: Dave Thomas (founder of Wendy’s) and Brandi Sherwood (Miss USA 1997)
Belle of the Ball: Ina Lee – First Belle of the Ball to highlight the parade’s new Title Sponsor, BellSouth
Poster Artist: Greg Flinn
Boat Parade Chairman: Steve Casper
Ball Chair: Martha Forsyth – theme “Midnight in the Garden”
Shoreline Chairman:
President/Chairman of the Board: John Forsyth
Executive Director: Lisa Scott
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Officially called “The BellSouth Winterfest Boat Parade Presented by Nokia.”
The Winterfest Black Tie Ball featured Joey Dee and the Starliters at the Signature Grand on December 5.
Dawn Diehl returns
1998
Parade Theme: “Holiday Theater of the Sea” – December 12
Grand Marshal: Actress and Singer Ann Jillian
First Official Commodore: Guy Harvey
Belle of the Ball: Linda Gill (2nd annual bell of the ball)
Poster Artist: Guy Harvey
Boat Parade Chairman: Bill Ash
Ball Chair: Angela Mastrofrancesco
Shoreline Chairman:
President/Chairman of the Board: John Forsyth
Executive Director: Lisa Scott
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
The Black Tie Ball hit an all time attendance record and featured the music of The Lovin’ Spoonful.
Over 94 parade entries with national corporate partners entertain 800,000 parade enthusiasts
1999
Parade Theme: “The Last Sail of the Century”
Grand Marshal: Julio Iglesias, Jr.
Commodore: Howard Schnellenberger (2nd Commodore of the Event)
Belle of the Ball: Ginny Miller
Poster Artist:
Boat Parade Chairman: Bill Ash
Ball Chair: Angela Mastrofrancesco
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President/Chairman of the Board: Stacey Hallberg
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Named the 20th Best Parade in the World by The International Festival and Events Association. holiday event.
2000
Parade Theme: “The World on Water” – December 12th
Grand Marshals: TRIO- Laurie Hibberd (CBS Reporter), Michael Gelman (producer Live with Regis) and Jose Solano (Baywatch)
Commodore: Geoffrey Bodine – Nascar Driver
Belle of the Ball: Connie Francis– actress
Poster Artist: David Bass
Boat Parade Chairman: Michael Long
Ball Chair: Roxanne Shriver
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President/Chairman of the Board: Stacey Hallberg
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
A record 850,000 spectators. The parade encouraged the 100 entries to showcase cultural heritage and honor our community as a melting pot of all nationalities.
Theodore Tugboat enters the parade- based on the cartoon
2001
Parade Theme: “On a River of Dreams” – 30 years at the Holiday Helm – December 15
Grand Marshal: Donald Trump
Commodore: Max Osceola– Seminole Tribe Hollywood Councilman
Belle of the Ball: Nicki Grossman– President of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
Poster Artist: Rebecca Luttrell – Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
Ornament Artist: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Michael Long
Ball Chairs: Roxanne Shriver and Doreen Scott
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President/Chairman of the Board: Joseph T. Ducanis, Jr.
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Parade’s New Name: Cingular Wireless Winterfest Boat Parade presented by Nokia
In light of the tragic events of September 11, this year’s parade had a special tribute to our nation and its citizens’ continued commitment to patriotism. The firework’s show-float was titled “Salute to America.”
Winterfest honors Oldest Man to sail around the world – David (Dec. 7)
Parade adds Golf Tournament to list of events.
2002
Parade Theme: “Pirates in Paradise” – December 10
Grand Marshals: Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos
Commodore: Kaye Pearson
Boat Parade Commodore: Joe Milsaps
Belle of the Ball: Patricia Collier (Cingular Wireless) / Edmund Ansin (WSVN) Admiral
Poster Artist: Clara Mateus – Art Institute
Ornament Artist: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Michael Long
Ball Chair: Cindy Rodriguez
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President/Chairman of the Board: Joseph T. Ducanis, Jr.
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Jorge Moreno – Latin Grammy singer in parade
First year of the Winterfest Charm: Snowflake from J.R. Dunn Jewelers
Mooncusser celebrated 25 years performing in the parade
2003
Parade Theme: “Once Upon a Time”
Grand Marshal: David Cassidy
Commodore: Preston Henn
Belle of the Ball: Stacey Hallberg special appearance by the Rockettes, straight from Radio City.
Poster Artist: Sandra Cruz – Art Institute
Ornament Artist: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Ryan Campbell
Ball Chair: Cindy Rodriquez
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President/Chairman of the Board: Nancy Daly
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
Cover Contest with BellSouth Real Yellow Pages
Queen Mary 2 Inaugural Gala
Winterfest ranked Second largest event in Florida based on attendees by the Florida Festival and Events Association and 7th largest one day spectator event in the country
Swap Shop Circus Barge returns to the parade
2004
Parade Theme: “Rock’n Roll FantaSea” is the theme of the December 18th event in celebration
Grand Marshal: Miami Heat – Shaquille O’Neal
Commodore: Carey Chen
Belle of the Ball: Cindy Rodriquez
Poster Artist: Carey Chen
Ornament Artist: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Ryan Campbell
Ball Chairs: Lois Schmatz and Lee Sheffield
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President/Chairman of the Board: Nancy Daly
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
HIGHLIGHTS:
New Title Sponsor – Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Parade’s official new name: Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
May 2004 – Parade listed as Reader’s Digest “100 Best”
2005
Parade Theme: “Jewel of the Nile” (same for Ball) Winterfest worked with the internationally famous King Tut and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs (a National Geographic Exhibition) – December 17th
Grand Marshal: Randy Jackson (American Idol)
Commodore and Poster Artist: Carey Chen
Ornament Artist: Pat Anderson
Belle of the Ball: Queen and Pharaoh – Anne Marie and Jim Dunn (JR Dunn Jewelers)
Boat Parade Chairman: Ryan Campbell
Ball Chairs: Lois Schmatz and Lee Sheffield
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President / Chairman of the Board: Rob Kornahrens
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
2006
Parade Theme: “Broadway on the Waterway” – 35 years of Holiday Magic – December 16th
Grand Marshal: Frankie Valli
Commodore and Poster Artist: 3-D artist Charles Fazzino
Belle of the Ball: Nancy Daly
Ornament Artist: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Ryan Campbell
Ball Chairs: Lori Macala and Susan Renneisen
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: Paul Kahn
Control Boat Chair: Lee Bell
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Chairman of the Board: Rob Kornahrens
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
HIGHLIGHTS:
New Events – Winterfest White Party and The Fine Art of Jazz
2007
Parade Theme: “Magical Movie Moments” –December 17th
Grand Marshal: Lorraine Bracco
Honored at Black Tie Ball: Marge (Belle of the Ball) and Max Osceola, Jr.
Poster and Ornament Artist: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Co-Chairs: Ryan Campbell and John Haley
Ball Chair: Susan Renneisen
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: Paul Kahn
Control Boat Chair: Lee Bell
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Chairman of the Board: Gary Correll
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
HIGHLIGHTS:
Parade ventures into a new direction – Downtown. For the first time in the parade’s history, parade participants are docked during staging along the New River instead of floating in position in Port Everglades. Winterfest introduces mascot Skip Ahoy (Austen Read and Michael Keleher)
2008
Parade Theme: “Rockin the Night Aweigh”
Grand Marshal: Jim Belushi
Commodore: Jim Dunn – JM Lexus
Poster Artist: Jules Burt
Boat Parade Chairman: John Haley
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Arlette Spaniak
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: Paul Kahn
Control Boat Chair: Shawn McNulty and Jim McKinley
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Chairman of the Board: Gary Correll
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2009
Parade Theme: “That’s Entertainment“
Grand Marshals: Alonzo Mourning and Kim Kardashian
Commodore: n/a
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Amanda Blake who fought against osteosarcoma (a rare form of bone cancer)
Belle of the Ball: Arlette Spaniak
Poster Artist: Yanny Issac (student at Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale)
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: John Haley
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Connie Chaney
Shoreline Chairs: Rosalie Wheatley and Arlette Spaniak
Grandstand Chairman: Paul Kahn
Control Boat Chair: Bill Lindsey
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Chairman of the Board: Max Osceola, Jr.
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2010
Parade Theme: “Dancing thru the Decades” in celebration of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Centennial
Grand Marshal: Brooke Burke
Commodore: Frank Herhold
Captain: J. David Armstrong, Jr.
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Alison Marchessault – (born with excessive form of Polycystic Kidney Disease) Starlight Children’s
Belle of the Ball: Susan Renneisen
Poster Artist: Charles Fazzino
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: John Haley
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Connie Chaney
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chairs: Bill Lindsey and Jim Zimmerman
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Chairman of the Board: Paul Anderson
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
HIGHLIGHTS:
Winterfest adds “Elves” to the parade (Ryan / Shane Keleher).
2011
Parade Theme: “Rockin’ Boats and Holiday Floats“
Grand Marshal: Barry Gibb
Commodore: Greg ‘Moondog’ Mooney – The Cove
Jr. Captain: Cameron Ader – Shake a Leg Miami
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Martina Bello – James Jr. Fund
Belle of the Ball: Connie Chaney
Poster and T-Shirt Artist: Marine-life Artist Guy Harvey
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: John Haley
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Kara Wolf
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chairs: Chase Camacho and Jim Zimmerman
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Chairman of the Board: Robert W. Leider
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2012
Parade Theme: “Musical Memories“
Grand Marshal: Deborah Norville
Commodore: John Haley – Winterfest Boat Parade Chairman
Jr. Captain of the Parade: look for the nominees on the Winterfest facebook page
Belle of the Ball: Lily Pardo – WSVN
Poster Artist: Susan Sommer-Luarca, Official Triple Crown Artist, Official Artist of the NFL, Official Olympic Artist, and Official Artist of the PGA
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: John Haley
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Kara Wolf
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chairs: Jim Zimmerman
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Chairman of the Board: Robert W. Leider
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2013
Parade Theme: “Passport to Paradise“
Grand Marshals: Tracy Morgan and Ryan Hunter-Reay
Commodore: Gary Correll – Publix Super Markets
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Lauren Bendesky
Belle of the Ball: Stacy Copeland – Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors
Poster Artist and Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: John Haley
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen & Lori Perlman
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chairs: Jim Zimmerman
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Chairman of the Board: Kenneth A. Ortner
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2014
Parade Theme: “TV’s Greatest Hits“
Grand Marshals: Flo Rida
Celebrity: David Cassidy
Commodore: Rob Kornahrens
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Alex Casamento (Arthritis Foundation)
Belle of the Ball: Diana Reed
Poster Artist: Nadine Floyd
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: John Haley
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen & Lori Perlman
Student Art Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chairs: Jim Zimmerman
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Dock Walker Chair: Mark Swenson
Parade Judges Chair: David Mundy
VIP Area Chair: Lisa Duke
Volunteer Chair: Ginny Miller
Captain’s Cup Chair: Kelly Tortoriello
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Paula Bolender
Chairman of the Board: Kenneth A. Ortner
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2015
Parade Theme: “Fairy Tales Afloat“
Grand Marshals: Nick Cannon
Celebrity: Below Deck’s Capt. Lee
Knight: Bob Leider
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Madison Smith– Cure SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) South Florida Chapter
Belle of the Ball: Lori Perlman – Broward Health
Poster Artist: Marcia K. Moore
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Mark Swenson
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen & Lori Perlman
Student Art Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chairs: Jim Zimmerman
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill
Dock Walker Chair: Paula Bolender
Parade Judges Chair: David Mundy
VIP Area Chair: Lisa Duke
Volunteer Chair: Ginny Miller
Captain’s Cup Chair: Kelly Tortoriello
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Kandi Osman
Chairman of the Board: Kenneth A. Ortner
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2016 – celebrating 45 years
Parade Theme: Comics & Cartoons Rockin’ the Night Away
Grand Marshal: Pitbull
Celebrity: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck)
Commodore: Doug Jones
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Danielle Moreno – Ann Storck Center
Belle of the Ball: Wendy Liebowitz
Super Hero: John Brant
Poster Artist: Charles Fazzino
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Mark Swenson
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Danielle Dattile
Student Art Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chair: Jim Zimmerman
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill and Carol Sjursen
Dock Walker Chair: Paula Bolender
Parade Judges Chairman: David Mundy
VIP Area: Lisa Duke
Volunteer Chair: Ginny Miller
Captain’s Cup Chairman: Kelly Tortoriello
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Betty Rejack
Chairman of the Board: Jim Dunn
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2017
Parade Theme: Broadway on Parade
Grand Marshal: Big & Rich
Celebrity: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck)
Commodore: Ken Ortner
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Grayson Zrelak – Deliver the Dream
Belle of the Ball: Eugenia Ellis
Poster Artist: April Kirk
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Mark Swenson
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Danielle Dattile
Student Art Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chair: Jim Zimmerman and Terry Delmonaco
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill and Carol Sjursen
Dock Walker Chair: Jeff Sturgis
VIP Area: Lisa Duke
Volunteer Chair: Ginny Miller
Captain’s Cup Chairman: Kelly Tortoriello
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Bob Parkinson
Chairman of the Board: Ben Wesley
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2018
Parade Theme: Best of the 80s
Grand Marshal: Huey Lewis
Celebrity: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck)
Commodore: Johnny Williams
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Thomas Boegler (rep. The Salah Foundation Children’s Hospital at Broward Health
Child Warrior Ambassador: Sonia Rodriguez Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Belle of the Ball: Alyssa Lovitt
Poster Artist: Raquel Cordon
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Mark Swenson
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Gregg Snowden
Student Art Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chair: Terry Delmonaco
Ham Operator Chair: Robin Terrill and Carol Sjursen
Dock Walker Chair: Jeff Sturgis
VIP Area: Lisa Duke
Captain’s Cup Chairman: Kelly Tortoriello
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Anne Hunt
Chairman of the Board: Ben Wesley
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2019
Parade Theme: Lights, Camera, Action … Movies on Parade
Grand Marshal: Bret Michaels
Celebrity: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck)
Commodore: Bill Walker
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Emma Sorensen
Child Warrior Ambassador: Braulio Hernandez Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Belle of the Ball: Robyn Vines
Poster Artist: Brooke Trace
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Mark Swenson
Parade Enhancement: Britt Lanier
Events: Wendy Liebowitz
Future Vision: Ben Wesley
2020
Parade Theme: Home for the Holidays
Virtual Parade with a television show (because of the pandemic)
Celebrity: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck)
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Dantonio Frazier Jr.
Poster Artist: Nick Scalzo
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Mark Swenson
Parade Enhancement: Britt Lanier
Events: Wendy Liebowitz
Future Vision: Ben Wesley
Sponsorship: Rob Kornahrens
Marketing & Communications: Karla Nelson-Thatcher
White Party Chair: Alyssa Lovitt
Volunteer Party Chair: Alice Harry
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Gregg Snowden
Student Art Chair (Winterfest Foundation): Rosalie Wheatley
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chair: Terry Delmonaco
Ham Operator Chair: Carol Sjursen
Dock Walker Chair: Jeff Sturgis
VIP Area: Lisa Duke / Heiko Dobrikow
Chairman of the Board: Susan Renneisen
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2021
Parade Theme: 50 Years of Hard Rockin’ Fun … Winterfest 2021
Grand Marshal: Mario Lopez
Celebrities: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck), Joey Fatone from NSYNC, Dara Torres (4 time Olympian) and Ryan Cabrera.
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Violet Martin
Child Warrior Ambassador: Jordan Levy, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Belle of the Ball: Renée Korbel Quinn
Commodore: Shane Strum
Poster Artist: Charles Fazzino
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Britt Lanier
Parade Enhancement: Jimmie Harrison
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Roxana Garciga
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chair: Dave Plotnik
Ham Operator Chair: Carol Sjursen
VIP Area: Lisa Duke
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Renée Floyd
Chairman of the Board: Mark Swenson
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
Community Outreach: Wendy Liebowitz
Future Vision: Ben Wesley
Sponsorship: Rob Kornahrens
Marketing & Communications: Karla Nelson-Thatcher
White Party Chair: Alyssa Lovitt
2022
Parade Theme: Neon Nightlife Under the Sea
Co-Grand Marshals: Taylor Dayne, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick
Celebrity: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck)
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Luna Maria representing Forza Stefano Charitable Foundation
Child Warrior Ambassador: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Belle of the Ball: Lisa Duke
Commodore: Steven Savor
Poster Artist: Dennis Friel
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Launch Party Chair: Alyssa Lovitt
Boat Parade Chairman: Britt Lanier
Parade Enhancement: Jimmie Harrison
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Roxana Garciga
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chair: David Plotnik
Ham Operator Chair: Carol Sjursen
Dock Walker Chair: Michael Keleher
VIP Area: Lisa Duke
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Debbie Drab
Chairman of the Board: Mark Swenson
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
Board/Advisory Committee Chairs
Marketing: Karla Thatcher
Sponsorship: Kristin Kauffmann
Governance: Robyn Vines / Johnny Williams
Community Outreach: Alice Harry
Future Vision: Ben Wesley
Winterfest Foundation: Gerry Angeli (winterfestfoundation.org)
2023
Theme: Reflections Afloat
Grand Marshals: Boyz II Men
Celebrities: Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Ben Avalon representing Freedom Waters
Child Warrior Ambassador:
Belle of the Ball: Karla Nelson Thatcher
Commodore: David Boothe
Poster Artist: Laura Elmore
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Merchandise Artist: Dennis Friel
Launch Party Chair: Alyssa Lovitt
Boat Parade Chairman: Britt Lanier
Parade Enhancement: Jimmie Harrison
Parade Viewing Area Volunteer Coordinator: Austen Read
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Kathryn Salerno
Grandstand Chairman: David Greenberger
Control Boat Chair: David Plotnik
Ham Operator Chairs: Carol Sjursen and Jeff Stahl
Dock Walker Chair: Michael Keleher
VIP Area: Lisa Duke
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Dave and Lisa Plotnik
Chairman of the Board: Bill Walker
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
Board/Advisory Committee Chairs
Governance: Robyn Vines / Johnny Williams
Community Outreach: Alice Harry
Winterfest Foundation: Gerry Angeli (winterfestfoundation.org)
2023 Parade Judges
- Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie REALTOR representative President Chris Krzemien
- Dean Trantalis Mayor- City of Fort Lauderdale
- Rear Admiral Douglas M. Schofield, United States Coast Guard- Sector 7
- Stacy Ritter President & CEO, Visit Lauderdale
- Representative Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
- Representative iHeart Media
For the first time in History the 2023 Winterfest Boat Parade was cancelled due to a severe unprecedented weather storm.