WINTERFEST SKIPPERS’ MEETING – Boat Owners Warehouse,FJ Propeller and Chevron
Coral Ridge Yacht Club 2800 Yacht Club Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
December 10, 2024, 6 – 8 PM
Winterfest Skippers’ Meeting is a mandatory meeting for all Boat Parade participants. Hosted by Coral Ridge Yacht Club, captains will receive line-up information and rules and regulations for the parade. Goodie bags featuring great items from our sponsors and raffle items are for Parade participants. CAPTAINS ONLY.
ALL BOATERS REGISTERED FOR THE PARADE WILL RECEIVE A RAFFLE TICKET FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A $1000 GLOBALFIX EPIRB from ACR Electronics.
Captains will receive:
Chevron Gas Cards
Parade-themed burger by Carlos Solano
Parade Boat number by Image360 Lauderhill
Want to promote your company to boaters? Donation items/gift certificates to the boaters – contact Winterfest for details.
ADDITIONAL PARTNERS: Image360, Marine Industries of South Florida, and ACR Electric.
Have a Sponsorship Idea Not Listed? Contact Winterfest to have a representative discuss how to make your idea a reality.
PRESS CREDENTIALS: All media requests must be submitted using an email address from the media’s active domain address. The submission must include a commitment from an editor/publisher noting where and when the story/photos will be printed/uploaded on social media platforms.
Any social media influencers must submit their handles, viewership, and pre-/event day promotion plans when requesting credentials.
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 Tunnel Top Park. This location is where the Parade starts along the New River. This event includes a magnificent buffet and cocktails featuring local restaurants, Riverside Hotel, and much more. The VIP Viewing Party is also host to the television show and our boat parade judges.
This area is Winterfest’s way of saying thank you to all our Board of Directors and Sponsors. BY INVITATION ONLY.
2024 Judges:
Rear Admiral Douglas Schofield, United States Coast Guard – Sector 7
Rear Admiral Schofield serves as Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District, headquartered in Miami, Florida. As District Commander, he is responsible for all Coast Guard operations in the Southeast United States and the Caribbean Basin, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Mayor Dean Trantalis, City of Fort Lauderdale
Dean Trantalis has been mayor of Fort Lauderdale since March 2018 and previously served on the City Commission representing District 2 for eight years. As mayor, he represents the Broward County Tourism Development Council, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Broward Workforce Development Board.
Radio Personality Paul Castronovo, iHeart Media – The Paul Castronovo Show
Celebrating his 40th year on the air in South Florida, Big 105.9 Morning Man, Paul Castronovo, host of the Paul Castronovo Show, is part of the landscape of South Florida. An avid Boater and Fishermen as well as being on the board of directors for the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, Paul says he is the perfect candidate to judge the legendary Winterfest Boat Parade. “What an honor to be a judge once again, and for all the boat entrants, I take Venmo” Paul quips. Paul can be heard weekday mornings on Big 105.9 FM from 6-10am
Chair Burnadette Norris-Weeks, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
Burnadette Norris-Weeks is a partner at Austin Pamies Norris Weeks Powell, PLLC, and serves as 2024 Chair of the Board | Executive Committee of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. She serves as legal counsel to various governmental entities, including five Florida cities and local constitutional offices. She previously served as legal counsel to the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office for more than sixteen years. In addition, she handles serious personal injury and wrongful death cases.
President David Serle, Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie REALTOR®
Stacy Ritter is the 2024 Winterfest Belle of the Ball and President and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB). As CEO, she is responsible for the administration of the GFLCVB, a 45-person organization of sales and marketing professionals with a $24 million operating budget that focuses its efforts on behalf of the County for multicultural tourism, LGBT+ development, film and entertainment as well as national and international advertising and public relations.
AND YOU!
Previous Sponsors included Holy Cross Hospital and Riverside Hotel.
The Winterfest Parade Viewing Area for 2024 is NOW CLOSED
Join us in 2025 for the next Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Winterfest’s Parade Viewing Area, sponsored by Nicklaus Children’s Health System, is conveniently located in east Fort Lauderdale at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park on the Southeast corner of Las Olas Boulevard and the Intracoastal Waterway. Rideshare is encouraged and parking is within walking distance from the event area. Your ticket lets you experience a wonderful afternoon and evening of festival activities, interactive games, continuous stage entertainment, vendors, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, Stanley from the Florida Panthers, and other mascots before the main event – the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.
The excitement begins at 4 pm when the gates open. Come early and bring the family (no pets, please) to enjoy the amenities. Enjoy the Stella Artois Culinary Courtyard, Live Entertainment, and activities. The Parade gets underway at 6:30 p.m. along The New River in Downtown Fort Lauderdale and should arrive Parade Viewing Area at approximately 7:00 pm.
SEATING will be provided.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT – Live performances throughout the night with radio personalities from iHeart Radio.
TICKETS for the 2024 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Purchased tickets and have questions? Call 954-241-7938
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE AREA:
Conveniently located adjacent to public parking, rideshare drop-offs, and shuttle services from local hotels.CLICK HERE for a list of Winterfest Weekend specials from our hotel partners
Continuous entertainment on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s stage. Before and After the Parade, the area transforms into a concert with the Shane Duncan Band (before the Parade) and Southern Blood (immediately after the Parade passes)
Hungry? Thirsty? Don’t worry, we have you covered! Stella Artois Culinary Corner will have a variety of festival foods, featuring beverages from Stephen’s Distributing as well as Coca-Cola and LaCroix products.
Photo opportunities with the jolly man himself – Santa before he rides in the Parade
Parade Commentary provided by iHeart personality
Download the Winterfest App for updates and opportunities to vote for your favorite boat.
NOTE: Las Olas Blvd. Bridge opens for boats on a regular schedule on the quarter and three-quarter hour. The bridge will be in the locked open position for the Parade, starting at 6:45 PM ’till the Parade ends.
PARKING: Las Olas Parking Garage (next to the viewing area) 200 Las Olas Cir, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316. Parking will be very limited on Parade night.
The Parade goes on Rain or Shine.
NO Bottles, coolers, chairs, pets – For additional Parade Viewing Area Tips, Click Here.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL US ON 954-241-7938 or EMAIL US. Ticketing Powered by Complete Ticket Solutions.
Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park 80 Las Olas Circle Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
As a Winterfest partner, you will receive tickets to South Florida’s preview of the holiday season featuring Winterfest updates, amazing bites, sips and entertainment at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 7-10pm, and will feature delights from top-area restaurants throughout Broward County.
NO TICKETS ARE SOLD TO THE PUBLIC – SPONSORSHIP IS YOUR TICKET IN!
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
The event’s theme “Golden Glitter of the Sun” in reflective celebration of this year’s Parade theme “From Seagrass to Sawgrass: Waves of Holiday Cheer.” This year’s Parade celebrates 53 years as a signature Holiday Tradition in South Florida.
Special Performance by Dance-Pop Singer Cynthia Torres courtesy of Ocean Manor Beach Resort and Liquid Waste Recovery.
Appearance by the Winterfest Poster Artist – Carlos Solano and the unveiling of the original artwork of this year’s poster.
Water Taxi Photo Booth
Carroll’s Jewelers Bling
Check out what you missed last year – WSVN Channel 7’s coverage (additional event links on winterfestparade.com/videos)
Did you receive an invitation but don’t know what to wear? Click on this LookBook link.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
All sponsorships are created to provide the maximum entertainment/branding opportunities within the Winterfest Celebration. Click on the sponsorship level of interest and a Winterfest representative will contact you to have a custom sponsorship created for your company OR call the Winterfest Office at 954-767-0686
Ready to be a Sponsor? Get ready to be part of the Winterfest Family!
2023 PARTNERS
TITLE SPONSOR: Gray Robinson
FEATURED RESTAURANT: Casa Calabria Restaurant
PICTURED PERFECT PARTNER: Cleveland Clinic
BEVERAGES: Republic National Distributing Company, Stella Artois, La Croix
RESTAURANTS: 3030 Ocean, Sea Level, Billy’s Stone Crab, Fiorucci, Dune by Laurant Tourondel, Truluck’s, Eddie V’s, Mimi’s Ravioli
PRESS CREDENTIALS: All media requests must be submitted using an email address from the media’s active domain address. The submission must include a commitment from an editor/publisher noting where and when the story/photos will be printed/uploaded on social media platforms.
Any social media influencers must submit their handles, viewership and pre-/event day promotions plan when requesting credentials.
Coming in 2024, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of our next Captain’s Cup. We’ll see you then!
Winterfest celebrates parade participants and partners that make the year magical.
This wrap-up party recognizes parade entries, corporate sponsors, the board of directors, and Winterfest supporters. The Awards Dinner is decorated to the Parade’s theme with entertainment to compliment.
One lucky boater will win the People’s Choice Award. By voting – you are saying thank you to those that went the extra mile to become a winner! Voters have the opportunity to win airline tickets (see rules).
Live entertainment, cocktails, full-course dinner, and more!
EVERY PARADE ENTRY receives two (2) complimentary tickets to the event. Two (2) additional tickets can be purchased for $35 per person. Additional tickets will be available for a different price. To see photos from last year’s event – please like our Facebook page and view photos from previous entries!
