April Happy Hour
Author: Q Branch
March Happy Hour
Join your Winterfest Family at YOT
March 20, 2024 @ 5-7 PM
$10-$14 appetizers
$7 select spirits and wine
$6 domestic bottle beer
Great Conversation, Camaraderie, and More.
Boaters who have registered to enter in the 2024 Parade or be a control boater will receive a complimentary Happy Hour Cocktail.
2024
Winterfest 2024
“From Sawgrass to Seagrass: Waves of Holiday Cheer”
THE PEOPLE OF WINTERFEST
CO-GRAND MARSHALS
2024 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Co-Grand Marshals Jack Wagner, Stanley C. Panther and Viktor E. Rat
We are thrilled to announce the three exceptional Grand Marshals leading this year’s Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade. Winterfest® proudly presents Hallmark celebrity Jack Wagner alongside the dynamic mascots of the Stanley Cup Champions – the Florida Panthers, Stanley C. Panther and Viktor E. Rat.
Jack Wagner, a well-loved Hallmark actor and musician, has charmed audiences for years with his roles on-screen. O ff-screen, Jack is an avid philanthropist, lending his voice to charitable causes across the nation. His participation in this year’s Winterfest Parade underscores his commitment to spreading holiday joy in South Florida.
Accompanying Jack are two of Florida’s favorite sports figures—Stanley C. Panther and Viktor E. Rat, mascots of the Florida Panthers. Known for their community spirit and infectious energy, these beloved mascots bring joy to fans of all ages, embodying the teamwork and excitement that Florida Panthers hockey is known for.
BELLE OF THE BALL AND COMMODORE
This magical evening, The Winterfest Black Tie Ball, produced by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will honor two of this area’s community leaders: 2024 Belle of the Ball – Stacy Ritter, CEO and President of Visit Lauderdale and Mike Weymouth, President of the Las Olas Company, will be recognized as this year’s Commodore.
POSTER ARTIST
Internationally recognized and locally renowned artist, Carlos Solano, is the official poster artist of the 2024 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade. Solano’s vibrant artwork, embodying this year’s theme “From Sawgrass to Seagrass: Waves of Holiday Cheer,” was unveiled at the “Winterfest® Launch Party” on Friday, Oct. 19, 2024.
Known for his graffiti-like paintings and murals that add character to various locales in South Florida, Carlos Solano’s work employs a rich palette and a variety of styles, making him a beloved figure in the local community and a favorite with organizations such as the Florida Panthers.
THE CELEBRATIONS OF WINTERFEST
The Winterfest Black Tie Ball
Presented by Broward Health in Association with Republic National Distributing Company
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Black Tie Ball, presented by Broward Health in Association with Republic National Distributing Co., transformed into the Savanna to reflect the colorful world of Disney’s The Lion King. The event featured performances direct from Broadway, from the North American tour (Thank you, Broadway Across America), and the 14-piece Private Stock band performed throughout the night, sponsored by DEX Imaging.
Winterfest Happy Hours
Winterfest Celebrations
NEW & NOTABLE
2024 Postal Mark
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Belles of the Ball Luncheon – October 13th, 2024
The Winterfest Black Tie Ball Invitation
2024 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Carlos Solano Poster, Dates to Remember, Sponsors
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Cancelled for December 16, 2023
NEWS RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kathy Keleher, Winterfest®, Inc.
954-767-0686, kathy@winterfestparade.com
Karli Florence, Office Assistant
info@winterfestparade.com
Website: winterfestparade.com
FB: winterfest.parade
X/Instagram: WinterfestInc
#WinterfestFL
Fort Lauderdale, Florida l Friday, December 15, 2023 – The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest
Boat Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2023, has regretfully been canceled due to unprecedented weather conditions that includes heavy winds and unsafe boating conditions. The
decision to cancel the event was made under the guidance and advisement of the United States
Coast Guard, Fort Lauderdale Marine Patrol, Fort Lauderdale Fire Department, and other
relevant agencies.
The safety and well-being of our participants, and spectators are of utmost importance to us. The
inclement weather conditions, which are beyond our control, make it impossible to ensure a safe
and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
We understand the disappointment this may cause and apologize for any inconvenience. We
appreciate the support and understanding of all those who were looking forward to the Seminole
Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.
While this year’s parade had promising plans and breathtaking decorations from the boaters, our
focus is already on next year’s event, aiming to surpass expectations. Drawing attendees from
across the globe, The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade stands as a beloved highlight
and cherished gem of South Florida, and our commitment remains steadfast in offering a year-
round calendar of events and entertainment that captivates audiences worldwide. In fact, the Grand Marshal Reception featuring Boyz II Men is scheduled for 7:00 PM tonight and will feature the anthem for Broward County which was scheduled to be performed on the Visit Lauderdale showboat.
WSVN will produce and air a television special featuring all our 2023 events which includes
boats that have already decorated for this year and previous parades on Friday, December 22,
2023, at 7:00 PM. The show will also air on WSVN Channel 7 on December 25, 2023, and
January 1, 2024, with additional dates scheduled on Bally Sports Sun. Their sister station will
air in Boston on December 25 on WHDH (7 News) and December 31 on WLVI (CW56). We
also proudly drive engaging initiatives like our student art contest. We remain committed to
providing a memorable and enjoyable experience for our community and will continue our
unwavering dedication to marine safety and projects that support our veterans.
The scope of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade has many moving parts hence the
difficulty to reschedule. The magnitude of planning is immense, including permitting, and
coordination with multiple agencies to manage bridges being locked up, docks vacated for
staging and other logistics for overall safety. It took us months to orchestrate this event and all its
moving pieces. This event is not a simple one to pivot and effectively plan safely within a few
days.
For further information and updates, please visit our website Winterfestparade.com or contact
954.767.0686.
###
Boaters
Belle of the Ball: Karla Nelson-Thatcher
2019 Press Releases
2019 Newsletter – Click the link to view our PDF file or the flipbook newsletter noted below:
2019 Brochure
Winterfest® Launch Party: A Spectacular Glimpse of What to Expect for this Year’s Celebration with Live Entertainment and Virtual Experiences
NEWS RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kathy Keleher, Winterfest, Inc.
954-767-0686, kathy@winterfestparade.com
Karli Florence, Office Assistant
info@winterfestparade.com
Website: winterfestparade.com
FB: winterfest.parade
X/Instagram: WinterfestInc
#WinterfestFL
Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, FL (Thursday, October 12, 2023) – Get ready for an unforgettable night as Winterfest® presents its highly anticipated Launch Party presented by GrayRobinson. Set to take place on October 14 from 7 to 10 pm at the luxurious Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. This exclusive event will feature an array of exciting elements, including live entertainment, a taste of exquisite cuisine and an immersive virtual experience by FutureTech and LG.
Renowned artists Melle Mel and Scorpio from Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five will grace the stage, delivering a thrilling performance that will have everyone dancing the night away. Additionally, the event will include the Parade’s Grand Marshal announcement by the Parade’s title sponsor the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino later in the evening.
Guests will have the opportunity to indulge in the culinary delights of Casa Calabria, the featured restaurant for the evening. Frank Talerico, the mastermind behind Casa Calabria’s exquisite cuisine, will be present to showcase the restaurant’s unique flavors and signature dishes. Complimenting the gastronomic experiences are the following local restaurants: 3030 Ocean, Billy’s Stone Crab, Mimi’s Ravioli, Timpano, Carl’s Seafood, Eddie V’s, Piazza Italia, Fogo de Chao, Sea Level and Flemings.
In partnership with FutureTech and LG, Winterfest is taking the event experience to the next level with a virtual experience. Guests will step into a world of cutting-edge technology and embark on a journey that will captivate your senses and expand your horizons.
Capturing the excitement visual highlights and soundbites, WSVN Channel 7 will be conducting interviews with key figures, including Christopher Bielski from Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Frank Talerico from Casa Calabria / Ocean Manor Beach Resort, Robyn Vines from Gray Robinson, PA, Stacy Ritter from Visit Lauderdale and Britt Lanier, Parade Chairman. EyeOnSouthFlorida will be uploading their experience on their digital platform throughout the weekend.
The main room will be a sight to behold, with Republic National Distributing, Stella Artois and LaCroix Sparkling Waters showcasing their finest on the bar. To capture the memories, the Water Taxi Photo Booth will be available along with bling from Carroll’s Jewelers.
As a nod to the 20 years of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino as the title sponsor of the Parade, Grand Marshal Reception and Black Tie Ball, Winterfestt® has created a memory lane of Grand Marshal cut-outs mixed with characters from Pomp, Snow, & CIRQUEumstance
Want to be a part of all the Winterfest® celebrations? Sponsorship is your ticket to all the events. Call Winterfest® at 954.767.0686 or info@winterfestparade.com.
###
About Winterfest, Inc.
Winterfest is a Florida not-for-profit organization based in Broward County that produces a variety of events including the free public event known as the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade – “The World’s Most Watched Boat Parade.” Approximately one million spectators view the Parade on the 12-mile route along with millions more via television and the internet bringing National and International recognition to South Florida. Winterfest also hosts annual events to enhance the community’s image and provide unique, wholesome family entertainment. For more information on Winterfest, please contact the office at (954) 767-0686 or their website: www.winterfestparade.com.
About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship-integrated resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination unveiled a $1.5 billion expansion in 2019, highlighting the debut of the world’s first and only Guitar Hotel. Between three hotel towers, the resort boasts 1,271 luxury guestrooms. Amenities include a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa® & Salon; an 18-acre recreational water experience; private “Bora Bora” style cabanas; more than 20 food and beverage outlets; an expansive gaming floor with more than 2,700 slots, more than 200 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade. Hard Rock Live, ranked No. 5 worldwide in 2022 gross revenue for both Pollstar Magazine and Billboard in its respective categories, highlights A-list entertainers and performers, sporting events and live broadcast productions in an intimate 7,000-person capacity setting. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441). For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com call (800) 937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, X: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly
Grand Marshals: Boyz II Men
The Best Selling R&B Group of All Time, Boyz II Men, joins the Best Show on H2O as our 2023 Grand Marshals.