WinterfestFL19

Bill Walker as 2019 Commodore

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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

Disney’s Aladdin brings A Whole New World of entertainment to the 2019 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Black Tie Ball presented by Ford

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Fort Lauderdale, FL (September 10, 2019) Winterfest, Inc. and Disney Theatrical Productions announce the theme of the 2019 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Black Tie Ball presented by Ford in association with Republic National Distributing Company. Your Broadway wish will be granted during the premier social event of 2019. On Saturday, December 7th, the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Black Tie Ball will host special performances from Disney’s Aladdin.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood will produce the event with luxurious and exotic décor.  “We are looking forward to blending the magic of Disney’s Aladdin with the creative minds of our outstanding production team,” said Susan Renneisen, vice president of community affairs and special events for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. “As the 2019-2021 chairwoman of Winterfest, Inc. and co-chair of the Black Tie Ball, I always look forward to captivating the beauty, inspiration, and awe of Broadway. The entertainment and overall experience of this gala is unprecedented because of Winterfest’s affiliation with Broadway Across America.”

The Seminole Hard Rock Ballroom will transform into a cave of wonders for South Florida’s signature holiday gala boasting over 900 attendees.  With just one rub of a magic lamp, guests will journey to the fictional land of Agrabah. Live performances and colorful décor will transport attendees from the moment they step into The Red “Magic Carpet” Reception. As the evening progresses, décor will immerse guests into Aladdin’s adventures as he stumbles upon the magic lamp, wish-granting genie and beautiful Princess Jasmine.

It doesn’t take three wishes to attend this year’s gala. Tables of 10 range from $3000-$5000 and reservations are now being accepted. This highly desirable event will sell out quickly. Didn’t get the digital invite? Click on the link: http://bit.ly/WinterfestBall2019, visit winterfestparade.com or call 954.767.0686 for more details.

Disney’s Aladdin will play a limited two-week engagement at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Ft. Lauderdale from January 8 – 19, 2020.

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

About Aladdin

Aladdin, the hit musical based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film, opened on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theatre to critical acclaim on March 20, 2014 and quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years, breaking 14 New Amsterdam Theatre house records; worldwide it has welcomed more than 10 million people and grossed over $1 billion. Its global footprint includes productions in Tokyo, Hamburg and on tour across North America.

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, the show features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and six-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).  

Aladdin, adapted from the animated Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical.  Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance.  This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.

The animated film Aladdin was released by Disney in 1992 and was a critical and box office smash, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year.  

The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song “A Whole New World,” which won the second of the film’s two Academy Awards as Best Original Song.  The Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Aladdin is designed by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, six-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis.

The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette and makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira.  The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly. 

For more information, visit AladdinTheMusical.com/tour, Facebook.com/Aladdin and Twitter.com/Aladdin.

Disney Theatrical Productions under the direction of Thomas Schumacher presents Aladdin, the US tour, music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, book and additional lyrics by Chad Beguelin, starring Jonah Ho’ Okano (Aladdin), Kaena Kekoa (Jasmine), Zach Bencal (Babkak), Colt Prattes (Kassim), Ben Chavez (Omar) and Korie Lee Blossey (Genie) directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest® Boat Parade Announces Bret Michaels as 2019 Grand Marshal

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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

Lights Camera Action Movies on Parade Winterfest 2019 – Celebrate the Holidays with Us

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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

Celebrate the Holidays with Winterfest Host a party at our Black Tie ball, on a boat, on shore. Call our offices for branded holiday party information.

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

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.