Links to the 2022 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Digital interviews and event highlights captured by EyeOnSouthFlorida. To see current and past videos: https://eyeonchannel.com/?s=winterfest
2022 INTERVIEWS during Winterfest Events:
Boat Parade
Bill Walker as 2019 Commodore
Winterfest® Announces Bill Walker as 2019 Commodore of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL September 12th, 2019 In honor of his dedication to the Parade and community involvement, the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade has announced Bill Walker as the 2019 Commodore. Walker, President and CEO of Water Taxi Fort Lauderdale, has been involved as a Winterfest® board member as well as the Winterfest® Boat Committee since 2016, and has had his Water Taxis as Parade entries for over 10 years.
Since acquiring Water Taxi Fort Lauderdale in 2007, Walker and his company of 150 people have created a unique waterway service that has become a signature transportation resource to this area. Before relocating to South Florida, Walker served as the Principal and President at Boston’s Best Cruises. Here he developed a system that included the first high speed bow loading catamarans to be ADA accessible. Now, Walker is an established member of the Marine Advisory Board of Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the Las Olas Association Board of Directors. CEO of Winterfest® Lisa Scott-Founds said, “Bill’s passion, reliability, and extensive knowledge of maritime has made him the perfect candidate to take the helm as this year’s Winterfest® Commodore”.
Bill Walker will be honored at the Grand Marshal Reception on December 13th. Walker will be a part of the Parade along Fort Lauderdale waterways in true Commodore Style on December 14th, at 6:30p.m.
For more information please contact the Winterfest office at (954) 767-0686 or visit the website at winterfestparade.com.
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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 casino resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It isa world-renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination that features a AAA Four Diamond-rated, 465 room luxury hotel; expansive gaming offerings including first-in-class slots, high-stakes table games and South Florida’s premier poker room; spa and fitness center; award-winning dining and nightlife; and the popular Hard Rock Event Center which hosts celebrity performances, comedy acts and sporting events. A $1.5 billion expansion slated to open October, 2019, will bring 638 new, luxury guestrooms to the first-ever, guitar-shaped Guitar Hotel and 168 upscale guest accommodations, including unique swim-up suites, in the adjacent Oasis Tower at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Upon completion, the property will have a combined total of 1,271 rooms. The project will also unveil a lush, “Bora Bora” style lagoon with private cabanas and butler service; a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa®; a 13.5 acre recreational water experience for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding; 19 dining outlets and 20 bars and lounges; an expansive gaming floor housing 3,100 slots, 193 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space including a 38,000 square-foot, carpeted exhibition hall; and a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade. The highly anticipated Hard Rock Live entertainment venue with a 7,000 person capacity, will showcase A-list entertainers, comedy acts, Broadway performances, sporting events and live broadcast productions. The integrated resort is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood SeminoleReservation along State Road 7, (U.S. Highway 441), and is 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, call 800-937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Kathleen Keleher, Marketing Director
or Amanda Rivera, Winterfest, Inc. Intern
954-767-0686, info @ winterfestparade.com
Website: winterfestparade.com
FB: winterfest.parade
Twitter/Instagram: WinterfestInc
#WinterfestFL
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade Announces Bret Michaels as 2019 Grand Marshal
Fort Lauderdale, FL (August 13, 2019) – Parade Organizers announced today legendary multi-platinum superstar, Bret Michaels, as the Grand Marshal of the 48th Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019.
Bret will serve as an ambassador for South Florida’s most acclaimed holiday celebration.
“Bret is one of the most iconic faces of rock-n-roll and we are excited to have him bring his superstar presence to rock Greater Fort Lauderdale,” said Lisa Scott-Founds, President & CEO of Winterfest, Inc. “The added bonus is having him perform at the new Hard Rock Live the night before the Parade as part of his 2019 worldwide Unbroken Tour.”
Michaels’ relentless work ethic has extended him beyond his front man persona in the band “Poison” and his solo career in music. His Michaels Entertainment Group is a multi-million dollar empire. Along with his multifaceted career, he helps to raise millions of dollars for charities through his Life Rocks Foundation. He has partnered with both the American Diabetes Association and Juvenile Diabetes acting as a spokesperson and sponsor.
“Seminole Hard Rock is thrilled to have Bret Michaels serve as this year’s Grand Marshal, kicking off the holiday season in style. His iconic stage personality screams Hard Rock and is sure to shake up the waterways”, said Susan Renneisen, vice president of community affairs and special events for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. “As the chairwoman of Winterfest, Inc., I am personally excited to bring such an energetic Grand Marshal to rock this 12-mile Parade.”
Michaels will be a part of a private Winterfest® Grand Marshal Reception on Friday, Dec. 13 prior to his concert at Hard Rock Live at 8 p.m. The public will be able to purchase concert tickets for $70, $50, $40 and $30. All seats are reserved and available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.myhrl.com and www.ticketmaster.com. The following night, he will appear in the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade on Dec. 14. For more information on the Winterfest Celebration and how you can be a participant, visit WinterfestParade.com or call 954-767-0686.
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Editor’s Note: Bio and Hi-Res images https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p9u0p09cwgw22l8/AAC2ChntD4wXV88SVshjIpARa?dl=0.
Unbroken link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAq2hhRF048
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 casino resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It isa world-renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination that features a AAA Four Diamond-rated, 465 room luxury hotel; expansive gaming offerings including first-in-class slots, high-stakes table games and South Florida’s premier poker room; spa and fitness center; award-winning dining and nightlife; and the popular Hard Rock Event Center which hosts celebrity performances, comedy acts and sporting events. A $1.5 billion expansion slated to open October, 2019, will bring 638 new, luxury guestrooms to the first-ever, guitar-shaped Guitar Hotel and 168 upscale guest accommodations, including unique swim-up suites, in the adjacent Oasis Tower at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Upon completion, the property will have a combined total of 1,271 rooms. The project will also unveil a lush, “Bora Bora” style lagoon with private cabanas and butler service; a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa®; a 13.5 acre recreational water experience for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding; 19 dining outlets and 20 bars and lounges; an expansive gaming floor housing 3,100 slots, 193 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space including a 38,000 square-foot, carpeted exhibition hall; and a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade. The highly anticipated Hard Rock Live entertainment venue with a 7,000 person capacity, will showcase A-list entertainers, comedy acts, Broadway performances, sporting events and live broadcast productions. The integrated resort is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood SeminoleReservation along State Road 7, (U.S. Highway 441), and is 10 minutes from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Miami and Miami International Airport. For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com, call 800-937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, Twitter: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly
Entry Fees Start At $35
Payment: You may purchase your Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade entry in our online store after you submit your parade application. After your application submission, you will be redirected directly to the Boat Entry Fee in our online store that matches your choice of Vessel Category above. Please enter your vessel name in the “Order notes” field during checkout. It’s an easy step to Holiday FUN!
The types of parade entries and the prices are as follows:
- PRIVATE or NON-PROFIT: $35.00 (NO SIGNAGE or NON-PROFIT Sign ONLY)
- GOVERNMENT: $35.00 (Government signage allowed)
- COMMERCIAL SIGNAGE (ALL signage approved by Winterfest.) Fees are based on vessel size:
- $250.00 20’ to 39’
- $500.00 40’ to 59’
- $1,000.00 60’ +
- CHARTER (ALL signage approved by Winterfest):
- $500.00 20’ to 39’
- $1000.00 40’ to 59’
- $1,500.00 60’ +
- SHOWBOAT (Any vessel with approved signage – Sponsor designation and Guaranteed Television): $8,000.00
All Entry Fees include an 8×10 photo of entry & Two tickets to the Captain’s Cup Awards Dinner in 2021. Additional tickets to the Captain’s Cup Awards Dinner are available in our online store.
Lights Camera Action Movies on Parade Winterfest 2019 – Celebrate the Holidays with Us
Lights, Camera, Action… Movies on Parade is the theme for the 2019 Parade on December 14th. The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is the “Greatest Show on H2O” with holiday floats that really float. Enjoy your Christmas on the Water or entertain guests on land. Winterfest has tickets for reserved Grandstands seats for only $25-$30 pp. Have a boat? You can enter your vessel for as little as $35 (private entry / no signage). Love to dance? Entertain clients, friends or colleagues with the purchase of a table of 10 at the Black Tie Ball start at only $3,000. Celebrate the holidays with Winterfest in beautiful South Florida and enjoy this holiday tradition which sails from Downtown Fort Lauderdale to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. Call Winterfest, Inc. for all your Holiday Party needs 954-767-0686 or email us info @ winterfestparade.com
WSVN Signs Five Year Contract Extension with Winterfest®
WSVN Channel 7 recently signed a five-year contract with Winterfest®, Inc. as the official television station of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade. This commitment will continue their support through 2023 with coverage of Winterfest® news, events and broadcasting the Winterfest® Television Special on their station. The television special is rebroadcast on Fox Sports Sun and WSVN’s sister stations WHDH and WLVI in Boston. WSVN also produces a Facebook Live of the Parade which is shared on various social media platforms Parade night. WSVN’s live camera feeds are seen on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s television station, VisitLauderdale.tv and EyeOnSouthFlorida.com who expands the digital viewership across the globe.
This partnership has expanded beyond community outreach and holiday television shows; it has created great benefits for the media station and their clients while adding exposure for the nonprofit organization. Select WSVN clients receive tickets to experience Winterfest® including riding aboard their decorated showboat annually in the Parade. “We are pleased to extend our partnership with the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, “ said Paul Magnes, Executive Vice President/General Manager WSVN Channel 7, a subsidiary of Sunbeam Television Corporation. “ The parade is a beloved South Florida holiday tradition and viewers rely on Channel 7 to feature all the highlights.”
Now in their 48th year, Winterfest® is proud to have community partners such as WSVN to ensure this holiday tradition continues as “The World’s Most Watch Boat Parade.” Corporate support enables this not-for-profit organization to produce free events such as the Parade, Family Fun Day and continue their involvement in the South Florida community.
For more information please contact the Winterfest office at (954) 767-0686 or visit the website at winterfestparade.com.
Save Today on Winterfest Tickets
Get your tickets for the “Best Show on H20” on December 14th, 2019. Purchase your tickets EARLY and SAVE $5 (on adult tickets) using promo code: WF5Off
Enjoy a Festival Atmosphere prior to the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade at the Winterfest Grandstand Viewing Area powered by Ford. This organized and reserved seating area is the largest public viewing area along the 12 mile Parade route. Viewers can reserve a seat at an affordable price or walk into the park ($5 pp & find a viewing area along the seawall – no seating).
Enjoy the pre-parade fun with food, drink and craft vendors, live entertainment and other activities.. Tickets are $20 (children)-$25 (adult without the promo code).
TICKET LINK: http:/winterfestparade.com/tickets
PURCHASE TODAY AND SAVE winterfestparade.com / 954-767-0686
Decorating Tip: 40% Off Lights
PARADE PARTICIPANTS:
GET 40% OFF your next order at ChristmasLightsEtc.com by using the PROMO CODE: Enjoy100
FREE SHIPPING on orders of $100+
SHOP for Premium Christmas Trees, Lights and Decorations, visit https://www.ChristmasLightsEtc.com.
For more information, call 1-866-962-7382 or send an email to: customerservice@christmaslightsetc.com.
December 15, 2018 – “Best of the 80s” Theme
Go Back In Time with the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Parade Date: December 15, 2018 with the theme: “Best of the 80s”
Video Flashback courtesy of Hotwire Communications: https://youtu.be/X7WRofAFbyc
BOATERS: Join The Biggest 80s Party on the Water!
Boater “Dudes / Dudettes”—
We want to welcome you to the “Rad” Winterfest Family and join the Parade on December 15, 2018 when we “Like Totally” go back in time!
Enter your decorated boat for only $35* (* privately owned / no advertising) on our website: https://winterfestparade.com/parade-application
Want to advertise your business? Entry fees start at only $250.00
Don’t want to decorate? Consider teaming up with a nonprofit organization to create a “Fresh” entry OR be a “ Totally Tubular” Control Boat on Parade night.
For more information, visit: https://winterfestparade.com/events/control-boat-meeting
Questions? Don’t be “wiggin’ out”! Call Winterfest: 954-767-0686
Winterfest Recognized with Multiple SFEA Kaleidoscope Awards
The best and brightest were spotlighted this week at the Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards, in Murfreesboro, TN on February 26th. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 15th Annual SFEA Conference. Top festivals and events throughout the southeast were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the events industry.
“The quality of submissions continues to increase each year making it more difficult for the judges to select the winners,” noted Brenda Pierce, executive director for SFEA. “Of course, to ‘win gold,’ becomes all the sweeter when there is additional competition and the recognition a festival receives for winning is priceless.”
The name “kaleidoscope” was selected due to the colors in the logo image that represent the many different elements and facets within festivals and events. A call for entries was posted last fall and all southeast festivals and events were encouraged to participate. A panel of experts in event planning, marketing and tourism spent an entire day reviewing the entries from eight states. The judges looked for originality, creativity, media impact, volunteer programs, and the overall impact to the community.
Winterfest, Inc. producers of the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade – the World’s Most Watch Boat Parade – headquartered in Broward County, Florida, won in multiple Kaleidoscope Award Categories. The 2017 Winterfest poster painted by local Fort Lauderdale artist, April Renee Kirk, won silver in the promotional poster division. The Parade’s television commercials produced by WSVN, Channel 7, won Bronze and the Winterfest Black Tie Ball digital invitation won Silver produced by Blue Truck Media, Inc.
The Kaleidoscope Awards were sponsored by Classic Tents & Events, Norcross, GA and Pit Stop Portable Restroom Company, Marietta, GA. Classic Tents’ representative Karen Alcock and Pit Stop representatives Brett and Amanda Roques presented the awards to the winners.
