In 1982, the annual Christmas Boat Parade was expanded into a week-long, county-wide Winter Festival. The task force worked year round to make the week of December 11-18 a memorable one for residents and tourists alike. The Chamber, the Fort Lauderdale Area Board of Realtors, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the City of Fort Lauderdale, the Fort Lauderdale Jaycees, and local merchants sponsored events, parties, parades, contests, and concerts making the Winter Festival week fun for children of all ages. 

Over $100,000 in airtime advertising was donated by official festival stations Y-100 Radio, South Florida’s 7, and Selkirk Cablevision. 

The Land Parade kicked off the week with marching bands, drill teams, clowns, and floats on beautiful A1A by the ocean. A white Christmas with real snow was provided by the West Broward Holiday Happening. The week culminated on Saturday, December 18, 1982, with one of the most unique and spectacular events ever seen on water – the Christmas Boat Parade. 

Over 100 beautiful, elaborately decorated boats paraded the Intracoastal Waterway to the delight of hundreds of thousands of spectators. Grand Marshals Paul Williams and Gary Collins led the parade on Malcolm Forbes’ 126-foot Feadship, The Highlander, as vessels with thousands of lights, noted characters, specialty themes, live music, and animation followed. It was truly a celebration of our tropical holiday season.

THE PEOPLE OF WINTERFEST

Winterfest has its first President/CEO/Chairman, Ina Lee of TravelHost Magazine. Ina would helm the nascent Winterfest organization for the next six years, overseeing the creation of the Winterfest Black Tie Ball and the Winterfest Beach Ball.

Winterfest was created as an umbrella for over 100 major events happening in Broward County during the holiday season, including the Pompano Beach Boat Parade.

Christmas Boat Parade Task Force Chairman: Chris Davell

Executive Director: Diane Grow

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Broward’s Tourist Development Council, June Switken, director, first funds Winterfest in 1982 with $8,000.