Timeline
Belle of the Ball: Karla Nelson-Thatcher
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.
Poster Artist: Laura Brill Elmore
Another Multi-Award Winning Year for Winterfest
Winterfest Inc., producers of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, was the big winner of Six Florida Festivals & Events SUNsational Awards in 2023
2023
Winterfest 2023
“Reflections Afloat”
For the first time in history, The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2023, was canceled due to unprecedented weather conditions, including heavy winds and unsafe boating conditions. All other highly anticipated Winterfest events and activities took place as planned.
Read the Statement
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2023, has been canceled due to unprecedented weather conditions, including 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, 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 those 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.
WSVN will produce and air a television special featuring all our 2023 events, which includes boats from previous parades, on Friday, December 22, 2023, at 7:00 PM. The show will 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 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 more complex to pivot and effectively plan safely within a few days.
For further information and updates, please visit our Winterfestparade.com website or contact 954.767.0686
THE PEOPLE OF WINTERFEST
GRAND MARSHALS
The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is proud to host the Best Selling R&B Group of All Time, quadruple Grammy Winning Boyz II Men as our Grand Marshals for 2023.
COMMODORE
David Boothe
BELLE OF THE BALL
Karla Nelson-Thatcher
JR. CAPTAIN of the PARADE
Ben Ayalon
POSTER ARTIST
Laura Elmore – 954Design
MERCHANDISE ARTIST
Dennis Friel – Connected by Water
ORNAMENT DESIGNER
Pat Anderson
Boat Parade Chairman: Britt Lanier
Parade Enhancement: Jimmie Harrison
Ball Chairs: Susan Renneisen and Kathryn Salerno
Parade Viewing Area Chairman: David Greenberger
Parade Viewing Area Volunteer Coordinator: Austen Read
Control Boat Chair: Dave Plotnik
Ham Operator Co-Chairs: Carol Sjursen and Jeff Stahl
Dock Walker Chair: Michael Keleher
VIP Area: Lisa Duke
Carolyn McLaughlin Volunteer Spirits Award Winner: To Be Announced
Launch Party Chair: Alyssa Lovitt
Chairman of the Board: Bill Walker
President/CEO: Lisa Scott-Founds
BOARD/ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIRS
- Governance: Robyn Vines / Johnny Williams
- Community Outreach: Alice Harry
- Future Vision: Ben Wesley
- Winterfest Foundation: Gerry Angeli (winterfestfoundation.org)
THE 2023 BOAT PARADE JUDGES
2023 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Judges – To Be Announced – Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie REALTOR®, Dean Trantalis – Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale, Rear Admiral Douglas M. Schofield – United States Coast Guard – Sector 7, Stacy Ritter – President & CEO, Visit Lauderdale, To Be Announced – Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, To Be Announced – iHeart Media
NEW & NOTABLE
Winterfest Inc., producers of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, winner of
Six Florida Festivals & Events SUNsational Awards
Co-Grand Marshals: Taylor Dayne, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick
Not one, not two, but three Grand Marshals. Three music icons from the 80s, 90s and 2000s will be co-Grand Marshals – Taylor Dayne, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick
Winterfest has a new Logo!
Revealed at the Winterfest Launch Party, October 21, 2022, Winterfest has a brand new logo!
Winterfest’s First Postal Mark
In 2022, The United States Postal Service honored Winterfest, Inc. with its own Postal Mark celebrating the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.