On April 7, Riverwalk members and corporate partners decamped to YOLO on Las Olas for Get Downtown, Riverwalk’s twice-a-year general membership reception.
Attendees and future members enjoyed YOLO’s signature ambiance, great food and libations while engaging with Riverwalk staff and board members. Thank you to all of our members and corporate partners for your continued support, and to our partners at YOLO for hosting another great event.
As a Fort Lauderdale area native, my Riverwalk membership means so much to me. I was born in Broward County and my family has owned and operated Florida Intervault, a private safe deposit facility, on Galt Ocean Mile for more than four decades.
I attended high school in Fort Lauderdale and earned my first undergraduate degree here, as well. I saw so much growth and positive change during that time — so much of it along the Riverwalk and downtown.
So upon returning to Fort Lauderdale after many years of life and career in different U.S. metro areas, it was a natural fit for me to become involved with Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, an organization that has led or supported so many of these positive changes throughout its history. What I didn’t realize when I first became involved a few years ago is just how incredible the people of the Riverwalk community truly are.
Florida’s recent growth — and particularly that of our hometown — has been tremendous, thanks to the quality of life our hometown offers. From our bustling downtown to luxurious Las Olas Boulevard, and from the relaxing New River to the beach, one would be hard-pressed to find a city of comparable size with such a wealth of amenities and entertainment. I am proud to call myself a native and grateful to be involved in helping to shape the Fort Lauderdale of the future as a part of the Riverwalk and Greater Fort Lauderdale communities. Join us and get involved!
Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, I have been living in Florida for nearly 11 years. I moved to Fort Lauderdale to pursue my second master’s degree in computer science at Nova Southeastern University.
I hold sociology and MBA degrees. I started my career in IT and since then I have worked for several international companies. As an entrepreneur, I started my second company, Zorg World, in 2020. Zorg is the initials of my family as I dedicated my firm to them. I provide consulting in telecom and real estate.
I moved to Las Olas area last year with my beloved Yorkie, Chappie. I specifically chose this location so he could enjoy the water view. I had rescued him in Turkey when he was a baby and we moved to Florida together. He absolutely loved the Riverwalk and enjoyed watching the water, boats and people. He loved everyone and all animals. He always filled my heart with happiness. He loved life. If you saw a Yorkie with little blue sneakers, that was him.
I lost Chappie suddenly in December 2024. His sudden death devastated me. During this difficult time, I found the Riverwalk community. I dedicated two bricks for my Chappie and my late father who loved him deeply. I am happy and excited to be a member of the Riverwalk organization, and I look forward to supporting our beautiful Riverwalk in every way possible.
I moved to Fort Lauderdale in November 2022. This is the 18th city I’ve lived in – four of which are in Florida. I can say that Fort Lauderdale has been the most welcoming of all 18. In my role, I lead five of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management’s South Florida offices – Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Boca Raton, Plantation and Weston.
We help clients with nearly all facets of their financial lives. My life experiences have helped prepare me for the opportunity I have today. A few examples: I earned a finance degree from the University of Colorado and a juris doctor from the University of Florida Law School; I was a major in the United States Marine Corps; I was a partner in a law firm with a national practice; I served as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona; for multiple years, I taught two courses (business law and ethics) at the University of Colorado Denver MBA School; and I competed in three alpine ski racing events in the Winter Olympics for Puerto Rico. I am excited to continue to meet new people in Fort Lauderdale and to help it continue to be a great place to be.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – September 23, 2025 – Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and Damn Good Hospitality proudly present the inaugural Downtown Day of the Dead celebration—a vibrant, family-friendly tribute to the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos. Taking place Saturday, November 1st, this free event features a cultural festival, the iconic Skeleton Stroll and a lively Block Party in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. This unique South Florida event honors Mexican traditions, culture, and cuisine while embracing modern interpretations that connect a broad spectrum of people.
“We are most excited to continue this colorful tradition in Fort Lauderdale,” said Genia Duncan Ellis, president and CEO of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. “Downtown Day of the Dead is more than a celebration—it’s a way to continue honoring Mexican heritage, build community and spark joy and wonder in attendees that past festivals have done so well.”
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
• 2:00 PM (Esplanade Park) – Face painting begins
• 3:00–8:00 PM (Esplanade Park) – Cultural performances, arts & crafts, Latin food vendors
• 6:00 PM (Esplanade Park/SW 2nd St/Riverwalk) – Skeleton Stroll kicks off
• 5:00–11:00 PM (SW 3rd Ave/Revolution Live/Backyard) – Block Party
The Downtown Day of the Dead will be a festive day embracing Mexican heritage and culture through food and beverage, music, dancing and more! Face painting opportunities will open at 2 pm at Esplanade Park and continue throughout the event. Mexican and Latin food and drink will be present on both sites. The Skeleton Stroll will start at Esplanade Park and proceed down SW 2nd St, continue along the scenic Riverwalk before culminating at Revolution Live and Backyard, where attendees will enjoy the Downtown Day of the Dead Block Party featuring food trucks, the Craft Crypt and the Muertos Block Party. DJs and additional face painting will fill the evening with the lively spirit of this unique celebration.
The Downtown Day of the Dead Celebration is proudly produced by Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and Damn Good Hospitality (Revolution Live, Backyard FTL, Stache), with major support from the City of Fort Lauderdale and in partnership with the Mexican American Council, General Consulate of Mexico in Miami and Las Olas Capital Arts. Additional support comes from Morningstar Storage – FAT Village and Kamora.
For sponsor and vendor opportunities at the Festival at Esplanade Park, email events@GoRiverwalk.com or call 954-468-1541. For opportunities at the Block Party, email Jarred@damngoodhospitality.com.
Follow us on social media, @RiverwalkFTL and @damngoodhospitalitygroup. Use hashtag #DowntownDOTD to share your celebration!
For more information, visit GoRiverwalk.com/DOTD.
About Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Inc.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization responsible for the programming, beautification and activation of Riverwalk Park and the Riverwalk District. Composed primarily of volunteer private citizens and overseen by a board of directors, all members uphold the organization’s directive, as stated in its mission statement, “to be the catalyst in building and nurturing Riverwalk and the Riverwalk District as a vibrant community connected by the New River.” Funding for this mission comes from hosting a wide range of fundraising, networking and membership events, grants, and by publishing local information on our informative website and in Go Riverwalk Magazine.
Damn Good Hospitality Contact:
Jarred John
(305) 606-2979
jarred@damngoodhospitality.com
Riverwalk Contact:
Eugenia Duncan Ellis
(954) 468-1541 x202
Genia@GoRiverwalk.com
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Monday, September 8, 2025 – Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is
proud to announce the conclusion of its highly successful 2024-2025 event season, which ran from
October to September. The season was marked by a series of vibrant, free public events that
brought tens of thousands of residents and visitors to the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale,
boosting the local economy and generating funds to support our work advocating for improvements
to the Riverwalk Linear Park and the Riverwalk District.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, founded as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization in 1988,
engages our broad base of community support as we continue to work towards our mission “to be
the catalyst in building and nurturing Riverwalk and the Riverwalk District as a vibrant community
connected by the New River.” This year the community recognized the important role Riverwalk
Park plays in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, and turned out to vote Fort Lauderdale’s
Riverwalk the 7th Best Riverwalk in the United States in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Reader’s
Choice Awards!
From signature events to new offerings, this season’s programming celebrated the unique spirit of
the Riverwalk District. Highlights included the ever-popular Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood
Festival, the festive holiday traditions of Light Up Lauderdale, and other new and beloved events
that have become staples of the Fort Lauderdale event season. These events provide free
entertainment for all ages, and also serve as a vital part of funding for Riverwalk’s activities.
“We are most grateful for the overwhelming community support we received throughout the 2024-
2025 season, and year after year” said Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale president and CEO Genia
Duncan Ellis. “The success of our events is a testament to the strong community we have in Fort
Lauderdale and the continued support and dedication of our partners and sponsors. The funds raised
this season are crucial to our ability to continue our work of beautifying, programming, and
promoting the Riverwalk and the downtown Riverwalk District, ensuring it remains a premier
destination for everyone to enjoy.”
Notable this season were significant anniversaries for several of Riverwalk’s longest running
events, with the Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival celebrating its 15th anniversary, and the
Riverwalk Tribute marking its 25th year honoring community members for their contributions to the
Riverwalk and the City of Fort Lauderdale. This year’s honorees, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Melissa
Milroy, Ed Smoker and Mayor Dean J. Trantalis, joined a distinguished group of community
leaders who have spearheaded efforts to build a more vibrant community.
The success of the season would not have been possible without the generous support of our
sponsors. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale extends its deepest gratitude to the many businesses and
organizations that partnered with us to make this season’s events a reality. Their commitment to our
mission and their investment in the community have a direct and lasting impact on the vibrancy of
Fort Lauderdale. 2024-2025 Corporate Partners and event sponsors included:
Riverwalk is thrilled to announce its public event schedule through January 2026:
Information on the remainder of the 2025-26 Riverwalk events schedule with be available
shortly. As we look forward to the upcoming season, Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale remains
committed to providing free, public programming that brings our community together, while also
continuing to advocate for the enhancement and preservation of the Riverwalk Linear Park and the
Riverwalk District.
For more information about Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and the upcoming 2025-2026 season visit
www.GoRiverwalk.com.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – September 19, 2025 – The flavors of fall will return to Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk as Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, one of the preeminent producers of free, public programming in Broward County, launches its event season with the ninth annual Riverwalk Fall Festival on Saturday, October 18 from 12 pm to 4 pm at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Fall Festival will feature opportunities to participate in pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, sand art and other games and activities. Attendees 21 and over will be able to enjoy fall-inspired beverages at the Riverwalk Bar tent. Entrance to the event is free, and proceeds from sponsorships, games and bar sales benefit Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, one of the lead organizations in making Fort Lauderdale’s downtown Riverwalk District the foremost place to Live, Work and Play. Other highlights of the event include fall-related science demonstrations by the Museum of Discovery & Science, curated food trucks, arts and craft and informational vendors.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that works to build a more vibrant downtown community, centered on the iconic Riverwalk Linear Park. In 2025, Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk was voted #7 Best Riverwalk in the 10Best People’s Choice Awards from USA Today. In its 2024-2025 event season, Riverwalk delivered 25 free, public events, from small concerts as part of the Tunes on Top series at Tunnel Top Plaza to the 15th annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival, also including partnered events such as the 15th annual Florida Day of the Dead Celebration. Tens of thousands of residents and visitors were able to attend these festivals with no cost of admission, generating funds for Riverwalk and creating a broad economic impact for local businesses.
“The Fall Festival is one of our long-running events where the community can enjoy a day in the park with traditional fall entertainment and no cost for admission, “said Riverwalk president and CEO Genia Duncan Ellis. “It is one of Riverwalk’s primary goals, to keep activating our downtown and the downtown parks by delivering free, public events for the entire community to enjoy.”
Riverwalk would not be able to continue delivering free, public events and programming to the community without the generous support of its sponsors. The 9th annual Riverwalk Fall Festival is sponsored by: Galleria Fort Lauderdale, FHIA, Rick and Flo Celender, Morningstar Storage – FAT Village, S. Mark Graphics and Go Riverwalk Magazine.
Riverwalk’s 2025-2026 event season will continue with:
*Ticketed event.
Information on these upcoming Riverwalk Signature Events and other events is available at GoRiverwalk.com/signature. Information about the remainder of the 2025-2026 event season will be published in the coming weeks.
For information about sponsor and vendor opportunities at Riverwalk events email events@GoRiverwalk.com. Riverwalk is supported by Corporate and Community Partners, as well as individual event and program sponsors and in-kind donors. Corporate Partners contribute a minimum of $2,500 per year to support Riverwalk’s mission, while a broad network of community partners engage with Riverwalk to help support its mission. A current listing of partner organizations and individuals is available at GoRiverwalk.com/partner. For information on partnering with Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale email Jeremy Collette, Vice President at jeremy@GoRiverwalk.com.
