Category: Happenings

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale Celebrates Successful 2024-2025 Event Season, Thanks Community And Sponsors

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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:

  • Saturday, October 18 ꞏ 12 pm – 4 pm ꞏ 9th Annual Riverwalk Fall Festival ꞏ Esplanade Park
  • Saturday, November 1 ꞏ 3 pm – 8 pm ꞏ Downtown Day of the Dead ꞏ Esplanade Park, followed by the annual Day of the Dead Street Festival at Revolution Live!
  • Thursday, November 6 ꞏ 6 pm – 8:30 pm ꞏ Light up Lauderdale ꞏ Esplanade Park
  • Saturday, November 15 ꞏ 12 pm – 4 pm ꞏ5th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival (RIFF) ꞏ Esplanade Park
  • Monday, December 8 ꞏ 5 pm – 7 pm ꞏ Riverwalk Holiday Lights Cruise on the Water Taxi ꞏ Laura Ward Riverwalk Plaza/Water Taxi Stop #1
  • Saturday, January 3, 2026 ꞏ 11 am – 4 pm ꞏ 16th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival ꞏ Esplanade Park

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.

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale’s 2025-2026 Event Season Commences With The Ninth Annual Riverwalk Fall Festival On Saturday, October 18

Posted on by Jeremy

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. 

Call to Artists

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The 2025 Riverwalk Call to Artists celebrated Riverwalk and downtown Fort Lauderdale

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale celebrates local artists and the beautiful work they provide. Artists were asked to share their view of the areas for activities both active and passive, architecture, water events and more.

Two-dimensional and three -dimensional artwork of all mediums were invited to participate in the competition, including but not limited to watercolor, oil, sculpture, photography, charcoal, mixed media, drawing and gouache. The winning artwork was featured on the cover of July 2025 issue of Go Riverwalk Magazine.

“Riverwalk celebrates our local artist and art in public places. These artist and their talents, gift our city with cultural beauty.” says Genia Duncan Ellis, President/CEO of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale.”

The River walk is a 2.5-mile brick walk on both sides of the New River, meandering through Downtown Fort Lauderdale . The Downtown Riverwalk District includes 10 parks as well as a lush tropical
waterfront in the downtown center of an urban metropolis.

July 2025
Go Riverwalk Magazine
First place
Sandy Doyle: Enjoying the Riverwalk
Artist
Sandy Doyle

October 2024 Power Mixer – Papageno’s Wine & Provisions

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The last Riverwalk Power Mixer of 2024 was held at Papageno’s Wine & Provisions on October 21, 2024.  Riverwalk Trustee and Executive Members along with Corporate Partners enjoyed a tasty assortment of wine and hors d’oeuvres curated from Papageno’s own unique selection. The event was sponsored by: Dynamix, Worth Avenue Yachts and Howard Eflman – The Agency.

Papageno’s Wine & Provisions
1201 N Federal Hwy Suite 1-B
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

June 2024 Power Mixer – Here & Now

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The second Riverwalk Power Mixer of 2024 was held at Here & Now in Flagler Village on June 24. Riverwalk Trustee members and Corporate Partners gathered for conversation and were treated to an exquisite spread of hors d’oeuvres in this pocket of Flagler, nestled up against the up and coming FATVillage neighborhood.

*Here & Now changed their name to Laudy Bar shortly after this event. Same great owner/operator, updated menu and concept.

Jennifer Sandberg – Member Profile June 2024

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Jennifer Sandberg – Trustee Member
Regional Managing Partner
Fisher Phillips LLP

As of early 2023, I became a Florida resident and member of the Fort Lauderdale business community when I was tapped to become the regional managing partner of Fisher Phillips’ Fort Lauderdale office. We are a labor and employment law firm with nearly 600 attorneys in 41 offices across the U.S. and Mexico. I oversee the strategic growth and client service initiatives in our local office and assist employers across Florida – and really, across the country – with their most pressing workplace needs.

Fisher Phillips recently moved offices into The Main Las Olas, which provides us a space at the core of Fort Lauderdale’s business, legal and social communities and positions us to attract talent at all levels, including partners, associates and staff. We are growing and are so lucky to have the Riverwalk as an extension of our office. Our team greatly benefits from the active and vibrant community and space the Riverwalk provides each and every day.

My husband and I live on the New River and Riverwalk where I get to walk to work every day and enjoy the incredible community supported by the Riverwalk organization. We have been welcomed with open arms by so many in the business community – especially the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Design and Construction Professionals group – and I am excited to make more connections with those in our wonderful community who make the Riverwalk such a great place to live, work and play.

Damon Ricks – Member Profile July 2024

Posted on by Jeremy

Damon Ricks – Trustee Member
Principal Planner
Scheffer Mote and Ricks

I have a long work/life history centered on Fort Lauderdale. My parents are natives of South Florida and I have lived in and around Fort Lauderdale my entire life. In high school, I worked at the grocery store next to the Stranahan House along the Riverwalk where the Icon high rise sits today. I am grateful to see and be a part of what Fort Lauderdale has evolved into today.

Personally, I have been married for 25 years and we have two sons. We spent much time at the Museum of Discovery and Science and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts when they were younger. We still spend a lot of time around the Riverwalk today.

Professionally, I specialize in site redevelopment and land entitlement permit application processing, collaborating closely with property owners and diverse professionals, including land use attorneys, architects, landscape architects, engineers, traffic consultants, surveyors and City representatives. I have been involved in projects Downtown, the beach and surrounding areas. A few of my favorite projects include the new Baptist Health Iceplex at Holiday Park, the Inter Miami CF Stadium and many of the projects that make up Flagler Village.

I enjoy meeting new people, which is why I joined Riverwalk. Many of my business referrals come from people seeing our banner on the Riverwalk outside The Downtowner and Stranahan House, coincidentally next to where my high school job used to be and steps away from our office on Las Olas Boulevard. I’m proud to be part of this community.