Starting on the New River @Riverwalk at 6:30 pm  in Fort Lauderdale and traveling to the Intracoastal north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.  Winterfest Parade – LIVE WEBSTREAM and later Comcast “On Demand”. The 41st Annual Boat Parade will stage on the New River along the docks west of Stranahan House to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The Parade travels East to the Intracoastal Waterway as it continues North to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. This year’s theme embraces the beauty of our waterways during the Holiday Season. From the vast numbers of private boats to the giant showboats and corporate mega yachts, the 100 parade entrants, will be adorned with hundreds of thousands of lights, music, entertainment, decorations, celebrities, musical groups, beauty queens and many other exciting entries expected to be viewed by over one million spectators. Boat entries are now being accepted. FREE viewing along the parade route.

If you don’t want to miss a single entry – find your spot East of the Stranahan House. 2012 Parade highlights: Grand Marshal Showboat, Galleria Mall Reindeer Barge, Sky Limo Barge and the Baptist Health Santa Showboat. Wheelie Magic and Kid KJ are not confirmed.

Parade Sponsorships: $8,000 – $75,000 (Cost to enter a private boat is ONLY $35). Visit the Winterfest website to get ready for the Parade and on December 15th watch the parade on your computer. Special thanks to Comcast and WSVN.

Watch us on December 22^nd  – First Airing of the Television Special on WSVN!

Florida Panthers Winterfest Family Fun Day is on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at the Riverside Hotel Lawn along Historic Las Olas Boulevard from  12 Noon -4 pm.

FREE for the entire FAMILY Enjoy a traditional family event – Fun for young and old with lots of activities, food and a variety of beverages for sale to make this Sunday a perfect outing for everyone.

• Holiday Entertainment and music from Mobile Mike, MIA and Y-100
• Live Alligator Wrestling by The Gator Boys
• Pick out your Tree or have the kids make a Wreath by Happy Holiday Christmas Trees
• Santa arriving in a AutoNation automobile
• Florida Panthers and Florida Marlins Interactive Games
• Food and Beverages available to purchase
• FREE Kid Activities – SunSentinel Kids Town, face painting, bounce houses, games, activities and more…

Partnered event. Details to follow. Saturday, On February 9, 2013 Come watch an amazing candlelight vigil as paper boats, kayaks, and yachts sail along side Esplanade Park. We’ll have an unforgettable night celebrating the lives of lost loved ones who still impact our lives :)  Event is Free. We hope to see you there.

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale invites couples looking for a unique Valentine’s Day experience to attend the second annual LOVE in the Park Presented by Publix Aprons Event Planning Catering. Skip the busy restaurant lines and enjoy a romantic, all-inclusive evening under the stars with your loved one in Huizenga Plaza (32 East Las Olas Blvd, 33301). Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Begin the evening with a wine sampling featured by Tuscany Wines. Each couple will also receive a bottle of wine to pair with a selection of culinary creations prepared by Publix Aprons’ top chefs. Enjoy the gorgeous outdoor setting of Huizenga Plaza, silhouetted by the famed New River, as you sway to the sultry sounds of singer/songwriter Cat Shell. Shell’s musical-style, which combines R&B/Pop with Jazz Neo-Soul, will provide the perfect soundtrack for this special experience.

Attendees may choose to purchase general admission tickets and bring blankets or chairs to dine picnic-style on the lawn; VIP tickets may also be purchased and will allow guests to access the VIP Lounge area which will feature tables, chairs, and a special take-home gift from the Spirit of Fort Lauderdale.

Ticket packages admit two (2). General admission tickets are $80; VIP tickets are $125. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. To purchase tickets online click here.

For more information about event participation or sponsorship opportunities contact Caitlin at (954) 468-1541, ext. 203, or caitlin@goriverwalk.com

L♥ve in the Park
February 14, 2013
Huizenga Plaza
5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

South Florida food blogger and truck organizer, Burger Beast, invites central Florida’s blogger to a challenge in Esplanade Park. Watch for Details!

Sef Gonzalez, better known as Burger Beast, is a respected South Florida Food Blogger, with national reach, who writes about unique food experiences. Although his blog was originally created to find the best burger in Miami, it now represents a publication with the aim to shine light on the often overlooked, undiscovered, and unappreciated culinary gems of South Florida and other noteworthy destinations.

4th Annual Burger Beast Burgie Awards & Food Festival
February 2, 2013
Esplanade Park
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Event organized by Covenant House to be held in Esplanade Park. For more information visit the Covenant House website.

Each November, in cities across the country, our Candlelight Vigils are symbols of the light that everyday citizens can bring to homeless kids to let them know that there are people who care… people who want to help brighten their path for a better future. For 20 years, the Candlelight Vigil has honored the memories of the kids who never made it off the streets – the kids who died alone and anonymously, without ever knowing there were people who cared.

Save the Date: Cycling event organized by Marine Industry Cares Foundation in Esplanade Park.

The Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center (CDTC) is an organization that serves more than 10,000 children with special health care needs in Broward County, and Kids In Distress (KID) an agency that works in South Florida to prevent child abuse, preserve the family, and treat children who have been abused and neglected.

Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler will kick off 2013’s Spin-A-Thon, and local city commissioners will be there to lend their support. On hand throughout the day teams will be energized by beats from local DJ, water stations will keep each spinner hydrated, and Paul Castronovo from the Paul and Young Ron Show will be there to help keep the momentum going!

Join us as we “gear up” for our 5th annual Spin-A-Thon and help us support the work of Kids In Distress and Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center, two fantastic organizations in our community that are working hard to help children and families!

Friday, April 19th, 2013; Rain or Shine
12 PM Registration begins
1-7 PM Spinning event
6-9 PM Thank-You party

Esplanade Park
400 SW 2nd Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Register here: https://2013spinathon.blacktie-athon.com/selfregister.cfm