The Winterfest Celebration is one of Fort Lauderdale’s unique events that attracts national attention to the area and a wealth of visitors. Winterfest is best known for its’ boat parade, which is in its’ 41st year and Winterfest is now a non profit organization started in 1988 to support the continuation of the boat parade and build an entire festival around this tradition. Festivities include a golf tournament, Black tie ball, Grand Marshal Reception, Winterfest White Party, Family Fun Days, and it culminates with the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. Winterfest has both local and national sponsors and the entire community looks forward to this annual event.
The Parade is the main event of this festival and it is an aquatic exhibit of local artists who transform boats into moving murals with lights and colors depicting the parade’s theme. In the past they have featured dancers from the Miami Ballet, Chinese Dragon Boats, Fire Breathers, and much more. There are a number of places to view the parade. My favorites are the luxury waterfront condominiums, Le Club International, The Corinthian on the Intracoastal and Sunrise East. If you do not have access to some of these waterfront condominiums, there is the Grandstand inside Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, which is a festival within a festival, that also has live entertainment. This year the parade’s theme is “Musical Memories” and there will be a replica of a ship from 1812, The Lynx, a Giant Reindeer, and much more. Deborah Norville is this year’s Grand Marshall.
Happy Holidays and enjoy the show!
The Parade stages along the New River and travels East to the Intracoastal
Waterway in Fort Lauderdale and North to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.
(All times are approximate.)
7TH AVENUE BRIDGE
Bridge Up: 6:20PM; Close: 8PM
FECI RAILROAD BRIDGE
Bridge Up: 4:30PM; Close: 9PM
ANDREWS AVENUE
Bridge Up: 6PM; Close: 8PM
3RD AVENUE BRIDGE
Bridge Up: 6PM; Close: 8PM
TELEVISION FILMING / VIP AREA RIVERSIDE HOTEL
Parade Start: 6:30 PM
LAS OLAS BOULEVARD
Bridge Up: 7PM; Close: 9PM
SUNRISE BOULEVARD
Bridge Up: 7:20PM; Close: 9:30PM
VIEWING FROM THE GRANDSTAND AREA (JUST NORTH
OF SUNRISE BOULEVARD) OAKLAND PARK BOULEVARD
Bridge Up: 7:40PM; Close: 10PM
COMMERCIAL BOULEVARD
Bridge Up: 8PM; Close: 11PM
Once again, the opening and closing of the bridges are APPROXIMATE.
Please schedule your traveling time accordingly.
Viewing Areas: Bridges, Grandstand Viewing Area, Downtowner Saloon and
other various locations along the parade route.
REMEMBER THE NEW RIVER CLOSES TO BOAT TRAFFIC
EXCEPT FOR PARADE VESSELS AT 2:30PM
INTRACOASTAL 5:20PM SOUTH / NORTH OF OAKLAND 6:20PM