WinterfestFL

American Beach Party in Fort Lauderdale

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Winterfest is proud to call the Greater Fort Lauderdale Area Home! The city of Fort Lauderdale (our founding sponsor) is hosting the biggest Beach Party around.

What are you doing on Saturday, May 25th? Plan on attending the Great American Beach Party featuring the jazz-rock band “Blood, Sweat & Tears!” Details at: www.fortlauderdale.gov/gabp

2019 Theme – Lights, Camera, Action … Movies on Parade!

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Date: Saturday, December 14, 2019

A list of the top family movies for boat decorating ideas!


Winterfest’s invites YOU to be a star in the “Best Show on H2O”! You can experience the excitement and wonder of this 48th year old South Florida tradition by simply entering your decorated boat for only $35 (no signage / private vessel only). It’s EASY! Just fill out the application below. You can click on links to help guide your decorating and sound ideas. DON’T HAVE A BOAT? We have a list of charter vessels which you can decorate. Still have questions? Call our office at 954-767-0686.

Theme Ideas – TOP FAMILY Movies

  • 101 Dalmatians (1961)
  • A Bug’s Life (1998)
  • A Christmas Story (1983)
  • A Monster Calls (2017)
  • About Elly (2015)
  • Aladdin (1992)
  • Antz (1998)
  • Arthur Christmas (2011)
  • Babe (1995)
  • Bambi (1942)
  • Beauty and the Beast (1991)
  • Big (1988)
  • Big Hero 6 (2014)
  • Chicken Run (2000)
  • Cinderella (2015)
  • Coco (2017)
  • Coraline (2009)
  • Disneynature Bears (2014)
  • Duma (2005)
  • Dumbo (1941)
  • E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
  • Enchanted (2007)
  • Fantasia (1940)
  • Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
  • Finding Nemo (2003)
  • First Position (2012)
  • Frozen (2013)
  • Harry Potter Movies:
    • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
    • Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
    • Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
    • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
  • How Green Was My Valley (1941)
  • How to Train Your Dragon:
    • How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
    • How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
  • Howl’s Moving Castle (2005)
  • Hugo (2011)
  • Incredibles 2 (2018)
  • Inside Out (2015)
  • It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
  • James and the Giant Peach (1996)
  • Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
  • Kung Fu Panda (2008)
  • Lady and the Tramp (1955)
  • Lassie (2006)
  • L’Heure d’été (Summer Hours) (2009)
  • Mary Poppins (1964)
  • Millions (2005)
  • Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
  • Moana (2016)
  • Monsters, Inc. (2001)
  • My Fair Lady (1964)
  • My Life as a Zucchini (Ma vie de courgette) (2017)
  • My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
  • Paddington:
    • Paddington (2015)
    • Paddington 2 (2018)
  • ParaNorman (2012)
  • Pete’s Dragon (2016)
  • Pinocchio (1940)
  • Ponyo (2009)
  • Princess Mononoke (Mononoke-hime) (1999)
  • Rango (2011)
  • Ratatouille (2007)
  • Shrek:
    • Shrek (2001)
    • Shrek 2 (2004)
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
  • Song Of The Sea (2014)
  • Spirited Away (2002)
  • Spy Kids (2001)
  • Tangled (2010)
  • Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018)
  • That Thing You Do! (1996)
  • The Breadwinner (2017)
  • The Incredibles (2004)
  • The Iron Giant (1999)
  • The Jungle Book (2016)
  • The Karate Kid (1984)
  • Lego Movie:
    • The Lego Movie (2014)
    • The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
  • The Lion King (1994)
  • The Little Mermaid (1989)
  • The Muppets:
    • The Muppet Movie (1979)
    • The Muppets (2011)
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
  • The Peanuts Movie (2015)
  • The Princess Bride (1987)
  • The Secret of Kells (2010)
  • The Secret of Roan Inish (1995)
  • The Sound of Music (1965)
  • The Straight Story (1999)
  • The Wizard of Oz (1939)
  • Toy Story:
    • Toy Story (1995)
    • Toy Story 2 (1999)
    • Toy Story 3 (2010)
  • Up (2009)
  • Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
  • Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
  • Winnie the Pooh (2011)
  • Wreck-it Ralph (2012)
  • Yellow Submarine (1968)

Winterfest President invited as a panelist at The Summit

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Winterfest, Inc. President and CEO, Lisa Scott-Founds was a recent panelist at the 2nd Annual Synergy Summit for Cultural and Heritage Tourism (The Summit). The Cultural Heritage Alliance for Tourism, Inc. (CHAT) in partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB) and Broward Cultural Division is presenting The Summit at the Signature Grand Conference Center. The Riverside Hotel is the host hotel. The two-day Summit (May 10-11, 2919) is the place where tourism, travel & hospitality professionals, small businesses & entrepreneurs, and local artists will gather to communicate and explore synergy for collaboration as well as form strategic partnerships that strengthen and protect Florida’s tourism ecosystem. The Summit will showcase cultural and heritage tourism assets expanding the tourism footprint and economic impact in heritage neighborhoods and multicultural communities. For additional information https://www.culturalheritagesummit.com/

photos: DeAnne Connolly Graham, President of ROI Media Consultants, Inc. with Lisa Scott-Founds, President & CEO of Winterfest, Inc.

chatsummit #cultural #heritage #travel #hospitality #hellosunny #WinterfestFL #Winterfest

@visitlauderdale @browardarts @visitflorida
@WinterfestInc @WinterfestParade

WSVN Signs Five Year Contract Extension with Winterfest®

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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.       

PRESS RELEASE     

Save Today on Winterfest Tickets

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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

Heiko Dobrikow – 2019 Downtowner of the Year

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The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Council recognized Heiko Dobrikow as the 2019 Downtowner of the Year presented by the Downtown Development Authority. Dobrikow, who is currently Executive Vice President at the Las Olas Company and the General Manager of the Riverside Hotel, has become a fixture of leadership within our community and exemplifies the spirit of the Chamber’s annual award, which honors an individual and/or business organization that has made a significant impact within Downtown Fort Lauderdale and the region as a whole.

The Winterfest team with their recently installed chairman, Susan Renneisen, attended the event and congratulated Heiko Dobrikow on his award. Dobrikow has been an active member of the Winterfest Board of Directors since 2012. He is currently involved with the Winterfest VIP Viewing Area Committee and the Vision Committee for the Parade’s 50th Anniversary in 2021.


first paragraph from the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce website:  Mike Cobelo on Monday, January 7, 2019  

Photo by Downtown Photo – Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Downtowner of the Year. In the Photo: Susan Renneisen, Kathy Keleher, Heiko Dobrikow, Lisa Scott-Founds and Dawn Diehl

Photos by Downtown Photo

2019 Grand Marshal – Bret Michaels

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Bret Michaels – 2019 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade

The 2019 Grand Marshal Experience will be hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

This Winterfest Celebration welcoming our Grand Marshal Bret Michaels includes dignitaries and celebrities who join us at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to celebrate, Winterfest style. RECEPTION BY INVITATION ONLY.

Captain Lee, Miss Florida USA, Miss Teen USA, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick,  and Miss Latina Internationals.

This fabulous reception  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 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.

Family Fun Day

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The Incredibly Successful 2024 Family Fun Day is in the history books.

Coming in 2025, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of our next Family Fun Day on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025.

Until then, please enjoy a look back at all of the fun that was the 2024 Winterfest Family Fun Day!

FREE EVENT

Winterfest Family Fun Day at Esplanade Park

For an exciting day of family fun in Fort Lauderdale, head on over to Esplanade Park for Winterfest’s Family Fun Day.

This event offers many FREE activities for kids of all ages–and parents, too! This holiday event features giant slides such as Polar Express Slide, Catabella Express Train, and other activities.

Our Family Fun Day is in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale in front of the Museum of Discovery and Science and it is packed with exciting family activities.

If you work up an appetite, there will be plenty of food and beverage options for sale. Samples and so much more.

With great food, fun activities, and live music, this 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. Don’t miss the excitement for 2025, contact us today to be a sponsor at 954-767-0686

Become a 2025 Sponsor

  • Sponsors receive Tickets to Winterfest Events – the Winterfest White Party, Grand Marshal Reception, VIP Area, and Captain’s Cup
  • 10×10 Booth prominently displayed
  • Logo inclusion in a variety of Winterfest Promotions including Family Fun Day Flyer and Social Media
  • Other media opportunities

Photos are on our Facebook page.

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.

Black Tie Ball

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The Epic 2024 Winterfest Black Tie Ball has entered the history books!

Coming in 2025, this page will be updated with all the exciting details of the next Winterfest Black Tie Ball.
We’ll see you then!

The Ball is the most elegant of our festivities and by far the highlight of Fort Lauderdale’s social season.

Click to see the event’s Lookbook.

Click to view the Black Tie Ball Invitation

If you wish to donate an item to our auction – contact Winterfest.

Cocktails, Dinner, and Dancing six pm-midnight. Don’t have a ticket? You can bid on auction items starting October 14th.

Need a room? CLICK HERE

What can I do while I’m in town for Winterfest? Click Here

Photos are on our Facebook page.

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.