Please plan on joining your friends at Winterfest for fun, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, and happy hour prices.
Our first happy hour will be located at Bokampers on August 28, 2019 at 6pm!
Boaters registered for the Parade (as an entry or control boat) will be automatically entered in to win additional prizes.
Are you a location that wants to host a happy hour for Winterfest? Contact us at 954-767-0686.
2018 GRAND MARSHAL HUEY LEWIS
The 2018 Grand Marshal Experience will be hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
This Winterfest Celebration welcoming our Grand Marshal Huey Lewis includes dignitaries and celebrities who join us at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to celebrate, Winterfest style. RECEPTION BY INVITATION ONLY.
NEW THIS YEAR:
VIP Experience with special guests,
Sonia Rodriguez and a Miami Dolphins legend. (click here for more details)
Captain Lee, Miss Florida USA, Miss Teen USA, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, 2018 Commodore Johnny Williams and Miss Latina Internationals.
This fabulous reception presented by JM Lexus is the prelude to the parade. Many local VIP’s, dignitaries, sponsors will be on hand to welcome this year’s celebrity Grand Marshal. Fort Lauderdale’s Mayor, Dean Trantalis, will give the Grand Marshal a key to our beautiful city and Riverwalk, Inc. will present a brick in his/her name(s) for the Riverwalk Celebrity Walk of Fame on the banks of the staging area of the Parade.
Please view photos of our past parade Grand Marshals Big & Rich, PITBULL, Flo Rida, Deborah Norville, Barry Gibb, Brooke Burke, Kim Kardashian, Alonzo Mourning, Jim Belushi, Lorraine Bracco, Frankie Valli, Randy Jackson, Shaquille O’Neal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and many more on our Facebook page.
This is a private reception to honor our Grand Marshal. Become a Sponsor – Get Invited!
SPONSORSHIPS are still available with this event.
“Panthers in the Park” Winterfest Family Fun Day at Huizenga Plaza presented by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
Video from 2018 Florida Panthers Winterfest Family Fun Day presented by the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital (followed by the Grand Marshal Reception)
For an exciting day of family fun in Fort Lauderdale, head on over to Huizenga Plaza for Winterfest’s Family Fun Day. At the Florida Panthers Winterfest Family Fun Day presented by the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, we offer a plethora of free activities for kids of all ages–and the parents, too! Since this event is right in time for the holidays, be sure to keep an eye out for the brand new giant Toboggan Tunnel, Polar Express, Catabella Express, Sun Sentinel Kids Town, and other activities from the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
Our Family Fun day is packed with exciting Fort Lauderdale family activities where you can win prizes from South Florida Ford, get your face painted by our lovely artists, check out the Florida Renaissance Pirate Ship, hang out with the most adorable puppies from Danielle Pet Rescue Row, and so much more. There are even plenty of opportunities for photo ops with Santa, Stanley the Panther, and other surprise guests. While participating in the activities, you can enjoy the sounds of the Shane Duncan Band.
If you work up an appetite, there will be plenty of food and beverages options for sale. Get samples from LaCroix, and so much more.
With great food, fun activities, and live music, the Florida Panthers Winterfest Family Fun Day presented by the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital is an event you don’t want to miss out on. It’s a perfect day on the New River / Riverwalk for the entire family. If you would like to become a sponsor, contact us today at 954-767-0686
The 2019 Grand Marshal Experience will be hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
This Winterfest Celebration welcoming our Grand Marshal includes dignitaries and celebrities who join us at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to celebrate, Winterfest style. RECEPTION BY INVITATION ONLY.
Many local VIP’s, dignitaries, sponsors will be on hand to welcome this year’s celebrity Grand Marshal. Fort Lauderdale’s Mayor, Dean Trantalis, will give the Grand Marshal a key to our beautiful city and Riverwalk, Inc. will present a brick in his/her name(s) for the Riverwalk Celebrity Walk of Fame on the banks of the staging area of the Parade.
Please view photos of our past parade Grand Marshals Huey Lewis, Big & Rich, PITBULL, Flo Rida, Deborah Norville, Barry Gibb, Brooke Burke, Kim Kardashian, Alonzo Mourning, Jim Belushi, Lorraine Bracco, Frankie Valli, Randy Jackson, Shaquille O’Neal, Ryan Hunter-Reay, and many more on our Facebook page.
This is a private reception to honor our Grand Marshal. Become a Sponsor – Get Invited!
SPONSORSHIPS are still available with this event.
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Black Tie Ball Presented by Ford, in Association with Republic National Distributing Co. will set the surrealistic mood for this enchanted evening.
Video on the 2018 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Ball presented by Ford – filmed by WSVN
Special performances direct from the Broadway Production (Special thank you to Broadway Across America) and dance the night away. This event is tagged as the largest holiday gala in Fort Lauderdale.
The Ball is the most elegant of our festivities and by far the highlight of Fort Lauderdale’s social season. 2019 Belle of the Ball: to be announced
The Red Carpet Reception features an expanded Fidelity Investments Silent Auction from 6 – 8 p.m.
Bid on over 250 items. A live auction takes place inside the ballroom.
Dinner and Dancing 8 – midnight. Hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Event Center.
CLICK TO PURCHASE TICKETS / TABLE of 10
This celebratory event honors the people who play a huge role in the success of Winterfest® – our volunteers! Carolyn McLaughlin Spirit of Volunteerism Award winner is announced during the event. 2018 winner was Volunteer Anne Hunt.
This thank you celebration will be hosted by Timpano.
2019/2020 Volunteer Party date: February 27th, 2020
If you would like to be a volunteer – click the volunteer application link: 2019 Volunteer Application
CONTROL BOATERS, PARADE SPOTTERS and HAM OPERATORS ONLY at the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. Contact Winterfest on how to get involved.
CONTROL BOATERS: Get a FRONT ROW seat to the parade while being the eyes and ears for the “Greatest Show on H2O!” All control boaters receive a goodie bag at the Control Boat Meeting with a light and signs. AFTER THE PARADE, volunteers are invited to the Winterfest Volunteer Party at Timpano! Join Today.
WINTERFEST CAPTAIN’S MEETING PRESENTED BY INFORMA is a mandatory meeting for all Boat Parade participants, hosted by Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina. Captains receive line-up information, along with rules and regulations for the parade. Goodie bags, featuring great items from our sponsors, and raffle items for Parade participants. CAPTAINS ONLY.
Want to promote your company to boaters? Donation items / gift certificates to the boaters – contact Winterfest for details.
OFFICIAL BOAT SAFETY SPONSOR OF THE PARADE
Winterfest VIP Viewing Party
The most prestigious location to watch the Winterfest Boat Parade! Close to 400 community leaders, dignitaries and Winterfest Sponsors will enjoy the ambiance of the VIP Area nestled next to Stranahan House at Laura Ward Park. This location is where the Parade starts along the New River. This event includes a magnificent buffet and cocktails featuring local restaurants such as Timpano, Riverside Hotel, and much more. The area is also host to the television show and our boat parade judges. This area is Winterfest’s way of saying thank you to all of our Board of Directors and Sponsors. BY INVITATION ONLY.
Winterfest Grandstand Viewing Area Powered by Ford
Tickets are:
$25 – individual adult tickets
$22 – groups of 20 or more
$20 – children 10 years & younger
for the BEST seats on land to view the 48th Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. All seats are RESERVED and ASSIGNED, located inside Birch State Park on the Northeast corner of Sunrise Boulevard and the Intracoastal Waterway.
The excitement begins at 3:30 pm when the gates open to the Grandstand Viewing Area. Come early and bring the family (no pets please) to enjoy all of the amenities associated with your reserved and assigned seats. Join the “Party in the Park” – Stella Artois Culinary Courtyard, Live Entertainment, and activities. The Parade gets underway at 6:30 p.m. along Downtown Fort Lauderdale and should arrive at this area at approximately 7:30 pm.
Stage entertainment:
PARADE COMMENTARY
Come and enjoy an assortment of interactive games with fun for the whole family! Enjoy sports-related games including Slap Shot Hockey Games, test your skills at the Rock-Climbing Wall, or try your pitching arm.
After working up an appetite…choose your favorite dish from a variety of delicious foods. Thirsty? How about a nice cold Budweiser or perhaps a refreshing glass of wine!
To enter Birch State Park without sitting at the Grandstand Viewing Area, park entrance fee is $5.
PARADE PARKING FOR GRANDSTANDS:
There is no parking inside Birch State Park for the Parade. The ONLY Shuttle service will be offered at one convenient Fort Lauderdale location: Galleria Mall (East Sunrise Boulevard). Parking is FREE and bus service is $5 per person round-trip and is non-refundable. Children under 3 years old ride free. To purchase tickets: https://winterfestparade.com/tickets
Bus service to the parade begins at 3 p.m. and runs continuously until 6:30p.m. Return shuttle service concludes 1 hour after parade’s completion.
PARKING FOR PUBLIC VIEWING OUTSIDE OF BIRCH: Public Parking areas and garages along the 12 mile parade route – visit the City of Fort Lauderdale’s Website: http://fortlauderdale.gov/parking/parking.htm