Artist Cary Chen returns in his second consecutive year designing our Parade Poster
Author: Q Branch
2004
Winterfest Flashback to 2004
“Rock’n Roll FantaSea”
THE PEOPLE OF WINTERFEST
Grand Marshal: Shaquille O’Neal – Miami Heat
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
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Pat Hinde
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President/Chairman of the Board: Nancy Daly
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Parade Theme: “Rock’n Roll FantaSea”
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”.
On January 30th, 2004, Winterfest sanctioned the Inaugural Gala aboard the Queen Mary 2 benefiting the Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony. This event raised over 1.5 million dollars for the two charities and promoted Fort Lauderdale internationally as the winter sanctuary of this majestic ocean liner.
Grand Marshal: Shaquille O’Neal
Legendary basketball player Shaquille O’Neal joins two teams in 2004… The Miami Heat and Winterfest.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Becomes Title Sponsor
The Parade name changes to the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Poster Artist: Carey Chen
Renowned marine wildlife artist Carey Chen becomes the Winterfest Parade Poster artist for 2004
Winterfest on the Queen Mary 2
Winterfest hosted the Queen Mary 2 cruise ship’s inaugural gala benefiting the Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony
Reader’s Digest “100 Best”
The Winterfest Parade listed in Reader’s Digest “100 Best” in May of 2004.
2003
Winterfest Flashback to 2003
“Once Upon a Time”
THE PEOPLE OF WINTERFEST
Grand Marshal: David Cassidy
Commodore: Preston Henn
Belle of the Ball: Stacey Hallberg
Poster Artist: Sandra Cruz – Art Institute
Ornament Artist: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Ryan Campbell
Inaugural Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: Christina Welker
Ball Chair: Cindy Rodriquez
Shoreline Chair: Rosalie Wheatley
President/Chairman of the Board: Nancy Daly
Executive Director: Lisa Scott-Founds
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Parade Theme: “Once Upon a Time”
The Winterfest Black Tie Ball featured a special appearance by the Rockettes, straight from Radio City.
In 2003, Winterfest brought the parade into the classroom with the first annual cover contest with BellSouth Real Yellow Pages. The contest targeted 3-5 grade school children in Broward County. Winterfest promoted the contest in 2004 with the cooperation of the Young at Art Children’s Museum to public, private and home-schooled youngsters. Artwork chosen was prominently displayed on the cover of four directories distributed in over 600,000 homes in April 2005.
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.
Mooncusser and the Holland family celebrate their 25th Anniversary in the parade in 2003. Since 1978 the 34 foot sailboat and its troop of wooden soldiers have entertained parade spectators and become a Winterfest tradition and family favorite. BOOM!
7th Largest One Day Spectator Event
Winterfest is ranked 7th largest one day spectator event in the country, and Second largest event in Florida based on attendees by the Florida Festival and Events Association.
Grand Marshal: David Cassidy
Superstar Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist and Keith Partridge himself, David Cassidy is the Grand Marshal for 2003.