Winter – to many the word gives visions of snowflakes, icicles, heavy coats, boots and gloves. In South Florida, the word reflects lights, music and fun along the waterway. Winter has a tropical flare talking about the signature event of the holiday season – The Seminole Hard Rock WINTERfest Boat Parade.

We are excited to announce that the parade is the Kick-Off Event of the Centennial of Fort Lauderdale Celebration. Look for The Clydey Foundation Centennial Showboat at the parade’s start hosting Fort Lauderdale Mayor, Jack Seiler.

Winterfest, Inc. (a not-for-profit organization) is very grateful to our board member and dear friend Max Osceola, Hollywood Councilman for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and our title sponsor, The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Our community is very fortunate to have such a wonderful partner, for without their support, we would not be able to produce a show of this magnitude and the most spectacular event on water!

With an active board of 50, over 300 volunteers, interns and a staff of three, Winterfest works to develop an event as diverse as the community it calls home. The theme “Dancing thru the Decades” insures the parade will be filled with spectacular entries, wide spectrum of musical and dancing styles guaranteed to entertain the 12-mile parade route. Viewers from every economic background can view the parade route on land, water or even from the air. Parade participants are everything from kayaks, sailboats, motorboats and megayachts and this year we hope to see many charities being represented. For ONLY $35 to enter the parade (private entry) – boat owners become stars of the waterway and are invited to attend an awards dinner in February.

The parade boasts over one million spectators along the 12-miles from the New River, Intracoastal and Lake Santa Barbara. The parade starts its full procession as it passes Fort Lauderdale’s historic12-miles from the New River, Intracoastal and Lake Santa Barbara. The parade starts its full procession as it passes Fort Lauderdale’s historic Stranahan House and our host hotel, the Riverside Hotel. This area will be where our judges and television cameras will capture the excitement of all of our parade participants. Because of our partnership with WSVN-Channel 7 and Comcast, millions more view the parade via television and the internet.

Grand Marshal Brooke Burke will follow the Centennial entry as she waves to the audience aboard the SmartForLife™/underWAY™ Grand Marshal Showboat. Other parade highlights include the WSVN “GLEE” Showboat, Paul & Young Ron – Anthony Coal Fired Pizza entry, Sky Limo Air Charters Airplane aboard the BK Marine Construction Barge and The Galleria Mall – Rudolph entry will light the way for our finale – The Baptist Health Santa Entry. Santa doesn’t really need the reindeer to light the way with Santa’s suit covered in over 1,500 lights but it sure to be an amazing sight!

In celebration of the parade’s 39th year, get a reserved seat at the revamped “Winterfest Grandstand Viewing Area” presented by Perrier in Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Clear Channel’s Big105.9 will be hosting with Mobile Mike creating excitement on stage. Please contact our office regarding viewing locations and tickets.

The parade is culmination of all these events. And just think...The parade is just one of the exciting events we put together for your enjoyment. Look inside for all the exciting details about the many events Winterfest will present this year thanks to the support of our wonderful friends and corporate partners! We welcome you, your family and friends in joining us in celebrating, not only the holiday season, but this South Florida Tradition. 

Get ready to “Dance the Night Away”