Winterfest takes home the gold (and silver and bronze) in multiple categories at the FFEA’s 2021 SunSational Awards!
Author: Q Branch
Have You Met… September 2021
Winterfest is proud to highlight a few of the people that are behind the scenes of the “Best Show on H20”
Meet Our Boaters
MR. BOBB
Messingschlager Family
37 Years in the Parade
A fan favorite, Mr. Bobb has been in the Parade since 1985. Mr. Bobb, a 60-foot Hatteras Sport fisherman, is owned by the Messingschlager Family and is always an award-winner and “People’s Choice Award” favorite with Parade fans.
The lighting and decorations are all done by son Mark. Every year, this entry hosts children, grandchildren and approximately 35 friends.
Mr. Bobb is an anticipated entry – a Parade tradition. If you think this boat is spectacular, you should see their house which was featured as a contestant on ABC’s National Light Fight.
BLUEFOOT PIRATE ADVENTURES
Captain Maurice Andrews
11 Years in the Parade
Meet Maurice Andrews (Captain Black Sparrow) – Bluefoot Pirate Adventures
Maurice is a boat captain and commercial diver who takes on the persona of Captain Black Sparrow onboard Bluefoot Pirate Adventures. Prior to becoming a “pirate,” Maurice captained research vessels for Florida Atlantic University and worked on underwater fiber optic cable installation in places such as Brazil, Panama, Chile and Peru. His love of boating started after his time in the United States Army when he was a captain on the US Navy Base on Andros Island.
When Maurice isn’t telling pirate tales to children on his ship, he enjoys underwater video and photography.
Bluefoot Pirate Adventures has been a part of the Parade since their inception in 2011. The crew bring swashbuckling fun to Winterfest. Bluefoot Pirate Adventures is ranked as one of South Florida’s top-rated boating attractions for the entire family. They host daily pirate treasure hunts along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway filled with action, adventure, and just a touch of magic!
Bluefoot Pirate Adventures 
Maurice Andrews
THE ICE CREAM FLOAT BOAT
AMY MCGILL
First Time In Parade
Meet Amy McGill with the Ice Cream Float Pompano. She is a first-time entry to the Parade. This cute little boat brings ice cream conveniently to boaters throughout the waterways of Pompano Beach. The idea for this business began when Amy and a friend were boating on a hot Florida day and wishing they had a cold treat. Now all boaters can benefit from their confectionery desires and wave them over when you see them passing by. They will also stop by your dock, come to your dockside BBQ, or bring ice cream to your birthday party.
This summer the Ice Cream Float Pompano brought all of those ice cream truck favorites to the water, and they also added some locally made Florida products such as scoops of “Mermaid Bubbles” and “Bait Bucket” ice cream and Key Lime Pie bars dipped in chocolate. Are you a fan? Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Wonder what they will be serving their guests Parade night?
Amy McGill 
Ice Cream Float Pompano
Meet Our Board Members
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER: Rob Kornahrens
Rob Kornahrens’ humble business beginning started in 1983 when he borrowed $15,000 from his father to start his own business. From the purchase of a pick-up truck, the seeds of Rob’s roofing entrepreneurship were born. His focus on customer service in the commercial reroofing business is the foundation of his company’s steady growth for the last 35 years. Today, Advanced Roofing has been in the top 10 Commercial Roofing Contractors in the United States and #1 in Florida, with seven branches throughout the State, which employs approximately 500 people.
In 2007, Advanced Green Technologies (AGT) became a solar distributor for a thin film solar panel. Rob also started a solar contracting business to support AGT. Fourteen years later, AGT is the top commercial rooftop solar contractor in the State of Florida and recently completed two 2 Mega Watt Solar carports at Lockheed Martin (approximately 600 cars).
As a boating enthusiast, Rob enters the Parade every year with a “wow” entry showcasing his creative adaptivity to the Parade’s theme. It was his actions during his early years in the Parade (spinning his boat in front of the judges to give them a 360-degree view of his decorations) which got him involved with the board.
Twenty-five years later, Rob prides himself as an award-winning parade participant, past chairman of the board, and a member of various Winterfest committees. You will see Rob at all the Winterfest celebrations every year leading up to the Parade.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER: Gregg Snowden
Gregg Snowden is a highly passionate VP/Account Director for GTB, one of Ford’s global marketing agencies. GTB is part of WPP which is the largest ad agency holding company in the world. Gregg manages the South Florida Ford Dealers account with a thorough knowledge of the client’s business, the consumer, the marketplace and all aspects of advertising and marketing including creative, media, financials, research, and production.
Gregg has over 20 years of marketing and advertising experience, of which 18 years have been completed at nationally recognized ad agencies. His eagerness to stay abreast of marketing trends has kept his clients at the forefront of social, digital, and experiential marketing.
Gregg is also a husband and father of two kids, Nicholas and Gianna. In his spare time, Gregg has a passion for fitness, enjoys golfing, and playing in the pool with his kids.
Gregg is a long-time supporter of Winterfest, an active board member since 2012, and currently serves on the Executive Board.
South Florida Ford is the sponsor of the 2021 Fireworks.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER and VIP PARADE AREA PARTNER: Karla Thatcher
Twelve-time Emmy Award winner, Karla Nelson-Thatcher, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Government and Public Affairs for Hotwire Communications is an accomplished Public and Government Relations strategist, bringing over twenty years of creative and negotiating experience to her work. After getting her start as a television writer and producer, Ms. Nelson-Thatcher migrated to broadcasting where she held several positions as a Creative Services Director, analyzing Market Research and applying it to the development of talent teams, show formatting, and station branding to achieve market position in the wildly competitive world of television overnight ratings.
Her creative career continued as co-founder of K&L Consulting with international clients including an airline, an Island Government, and several not-for-profits in her hometown of South Florida. On the heels of success, Karla was picked by Comcast Cable in the Florida region, where over the course of thirteen years her role evolved from ensuring compliance with municipal franchise agreements to overseeing ad campaigns and the execution of Public, Education and Government programming.
Ms. Nelson-Thatcher developed news conferences for product launches, internal electronic based learning and a heavily viewed local on Demand portal that featured an array of programming, some of which won Emmy awards. Now, as VP of Corporate Communications, Government and Public Affairs at Hotwire Communications, Karla is building the foundation of Hotwire’s community profile and aligning with local CBOs, School Boards, Not for Profits, and Elected Officials.
During Ms. Nelson-Thatcher’s extensive career, she has been a part of Winterfest and recently accepted the position as assistant secretary on the organization’s Executive Board and is chairwoman of the Marketing Committee.
ADVISORY MEMBER: Bill Feinberg
Bill Feinberg, President of Allied Kitchen and Bath in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been an advisory member of Winterfest since 2013. Bill and his brother, Joe, founded the company in 1984. A self-made man with his roots in Philadelphia, Bill had a vision for the design and remodeling business. He successfully brought that vision to South Florida and has been reshaping the community for the last 35 years. A man who lives by the motto “Pay it Forward,” Bill has hosted more than 100 charity events in the Allied showrooms with 100% of all funds raised going directly to the charity, often raising between $10,000-20,000 in just a few hours.
Bill is involved many with trade organizations for the Kitchen and Bath Industry and has served on numerous committees and Boards within the BKBG and the NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) organizations. He recently served as the 2020 Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.
Along with the Winterfest Advisory Board and the organization’s Marketing Committee. Bill currently serves on the boards of Habitat for Humanity and is the immediate past Chair, The Fort Lauderdale Chamberof Commerce. He is also involved with the US Army Advisory Council of Broward County, The Economic Advisory Council of Broward County (which works closely with The Federal Reserve Board), and is the past President of The South Florida Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Oakland Park Wilton Manors Chamber.
Charles Fazzino Selected To Be 50th Anniversary Artist
Internationally Renowned 3-D Pop Artist Charles Fazzino Selected to Create the Official Artwork for the 50th Anniversary of Winterfest
Charles Fazzino’s 2021 Poster to Capture “50 Years of Hard Rockin’ Fun … Winterfest 2021”
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – August 18, 2021 – Winterfest is pleased to announce that internationally renowned 3-D Pop Artist, Charles Fazzino, has been selected as the official artist of the 50th Anniversary of Winterfest, “50 Years of Hard Rockin’ Fun … Winterfest 2021.” The unveiling will take place during the “Winterfest White Hot Launch Party” on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. Fazzino will unveil the poster at Wentworth Gallery at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on Thursday, Nov. 18. The public is invited to the opening and will have the opportunity to mingle with celebrities such as Miami Dolphins player Emmanuel Ogbah.
“Winterfest has been one of my favorite events for decades,” said Fazzino. I used to spend my winters in Florida at all the art festivals and watched Winterfest as it was just getting started. I am honored to once again be painting the official poster for the 50th anniversary, and I hope that my work accurately captures the spectacle and the celebration.”
Parade producers will create some fun glimpses of the poster artwork around Fort Lauderdale and on social media. This is the third Winterfest poster designed by the acclaimed 3-D artist.
Charles Fazzino is well known for his extravagant and vivid 3-D New York City scenes. Some of his most recent commissioned artwork includes poster art for the Olympics, NFL Super Bowl, and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
“We are honored to have an internationally recognized artist to create our poster for our milestone anniversary,” said Lisa Scott Founds, President and CEO of Winterfest Inc. “Fazzino’s use of vibrant colors and celebratory images truly reflect the vision for this year’s parade.”
The highly anticipated signature event of the holidays, Winterfest, is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at 6:30 p.m. Fazzino is expected to view the parade along the staging area in downtown Fort Lauderdale. This year’s Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade will sparkle with iconic rock images, music, and décor in celebration of the 50th anniversary. The dazzling event will close out the year with floating stages of entertainment, beauty queens, celebrities, and starry-eyed spectators of all ages.
For more information, to enter your boat in the parade, become a sponsor or to get involved, call 954-767-0686, or visit winterfestparade.com.
About Charles Fazzino
Charles Fazzino — one of the most popular artists in the world—is an officially licensed artist of the NFL and twenty Super Bowls. He is also an officially licensed artist of the 2021 MLB All-Star Game to be played on July 13, 2019 at Coors Field in Denver, CO, his 16th for Major League Baseball.He has also created official artwork for high profile events and installations, including: the Olympic Games, GRAMMY Awards, JFK International Airport, Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, CMA Awards, Belmont Stakes, Daytona 500, Indy 500, K-Pop Museum in Seoul, Korea, and the President William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, among many others. Charles Fazzino recently was commissioned by NBC Sports to create commemorative artwork for Sunday Night Football to celebrate its record of being 7 years of Primetime Television’s #1 Show. See the entire collection at www.fazzino.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. This 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; a 13.5-acre recreational water experience for watersports; private “Bora Bora” style cabanas; more than 15 food and beverage outlets; an expansive gaming floor with 3,000 slots, 193 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, the resort’s entertainment venue, showcases 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, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly.
About Winterfest, Inc celebrating 50 years 1971-2021
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 Winterfest Boat Parade – “The World’s Most Watched Boat Parade.” On a typical year, spectators view the Parade along the 12-mile route 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 website: winterfestparade.com.
For More Information:
Kathy Keleher, Marketing and Parade Director, Winterfest, Inc.
winterfestparade.com
(954) 767-0686
Facebook: winterfest.parade
Instagram: WinterfestInc
#WF50
#WinterfestFL
October Happy Hour
The 2024 Winterfest October Happy Hour has entered the history books!
Coming in 2025, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of the next Winterfest October Happy Hour.
We’ll see you then!
Bokampers
October 23
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
3115 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
WE LOVE OUR WINTERFEST and BOATING COMMUNITY
Please join your friends at Winterfest for fun, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, and happy hour prices. Boaters registered for the Parade (as an entry or control boat) will be automatically entered to win additional prizes.
Nifty Fifty Pep Rally Party
Flashback to the 50s in celebration of Winterfest’s Anniversary
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
Celebrate with our partners: Steve Savor, The Umbrella Group, and Republic National Distributing Company as we bring back poodle skirts, roller skates, and ELVIS!
Nifty Fifty Pep Rally presented by Steve Savor in association with The Umbrella Group. Time travel to the 50s with multiple bands and retro DJs thru the decades, diner fare by Fort Lauderdale Country Club. Decadent Milkshake Bar and beverage creations with Brugal Rum, Botanist, Remy Martin, Fireball Whisky, and Cointreau with wines from Chloe and Cupcake.
Don’t have a Ticket? A segment of the evening’s entertainment will be live-streamed sponsored by AARP with Eye On South Florida.
Tentative Schedule:
Guests will enjoy the sounds of the Sunset Girl Band 7 – 8:15 PM (times are approximate).
Followed by DJs rocking the house with 80’s disco and Special Guest Otis Day performing his hits from the movie Animal House.
Limited Valet – Ride Share is encouraged. Contact Jeevz for travel information.
Winterfest’s 50th
Launching in 1971, the Winterfest Boat Parade has navigated Fort Lauderdale’s waterways for the past 50 years bringing holiday cheer to millions of viewers by land and by sea!
Winterfest Builds a Timeline
As a living document and a virtual home for our 50+ years of history. Add your Winterfest Memory here.
Timeline Submission
2021
Winterfest Flashback to 2021
“50 Years of Hard Rockin’ Fun… Winterfest 2021”
THE PEOPLE OF WINTERFEST
Grand Marshal: Mario Lopez
Celebrities: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck), Joey Fatone from NSYNC, Dara Torres (4 time Olympian and Ryan Cabrera.
Commodore: Shane Strum
Belle of the Ball: Renée Korbel Quinn
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Violet Martin on behalf of the Florida Youth Orchestra
Child Warrior Ambassador: Jordan Levy, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Poster Artist: Charles Fazzino
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Continue reading2020
Winterfest Flashback to 2020
“Home for the Holidays”
2020 brought the virtual world into primary focus for Winterfest events. During the pandemic, Story time with Santa, Letter for Santa, DIY Videos on cocktails, ornaments, baking and more became the highlights with the theme “Home for the Holidays.”
Winterfest spread the holiday cheer with a decorated vessel which traveled throughout Fort Lauderdale, decorating contests and “enter to win” opportunities.
Santa took a vacation prior to the holiday in Greater Fort Lauderdale with Winterfest and Visit Lauderdale able to capture all the excitement on video.
WSVN created a television recap of the “Best Show on H2O” with historic video and current highlights such as the Winterfest Foundation Jr. Captain, poster unveil and the Winterfest elves visiting hospitals in the area.
Virtual Parade with a television show (because of the pandemic)
THE PEOPLE OF WINTERFEST
Celebrity: Captain Lee (Bravo’s Below Deck)
Jr. Captain of the Parade: Dantonio Frazier Jr. – Jack & Jill Children’s Center
Poster Artist: Nick Scalzo
Ornament Designer: Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Mark Swenson
Parade Enhancement: Britt Lanier
Chairman of the Board: Susan Renneisen
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
2020 VIDEOS
All videos produced by WSVN Channel 7 unless otherwise noted.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Winterfest is named Top Three of 100 events in South Florida by BizBash.
