My personal stewardship journey began when I was the youngest vice president in the history of our local chamber of commerce and continued through terrific programs like Leadership Jacksonville (Class of 2005), Leadership Miami (Class of 2009) and Leadership Los Angeles (Class of 2014). It has included sitting on the board of directors for youth offender intervention non-profit Inside-Outside of Jacksonville, serving on the board of directors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and continues today in my second year of service on the Riverwalk board of directors.

I discovered Fort Lauderdale’s own Riverwalk by an accident of serendipity. A frequent cyclist, the paths are part of a scenic route from my South Bank neighborhood to the beach. It was some time before I realized that the Riverwalk is more than mere physical infrastructure, it is in fact an organization that by its very definition is the steward of our community’s most iconic aspect beyond the beach. Being drawn to the Riverwalk organization’s mission of stewardship as consistent with my own, I joined and soon began volunteering. Th e Riverwalk organization is comprised of like-minded souls who are not here for profit but are passionate stewards of a vital asset and tireless in their efforts to create a vibrant community. So, when I am asked aft er hours of volunteering in the blazing South Florida sun at a Riverwalk event why I do it, the answer is simple: this is how we make a life!

Membership – December 2025 Go Riverwalk Magazine

When attorney Jarrett Blakeley moved to Fort Lauderdale 15 years ago to begin his personal injury career, his first home was alongside the Riverwalk. The area quickly became a central part of his life, offering inspiration as he built what would grow into one of Florida’s respected personal injury practices. Today, he still spends much of his free time along the Riverwalk with his family, enjoying its local businesses, cultural events and scenic beauty.

Blakeley is the founder of Blakeley Law Firm, which has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach and Jacksonville. The firm focuses almost exclusively on representing victims of car, motorcycle, truck and rideshare accidents. Known for pairing aggressive advocacy with genuine compassion, the firm has recovered over $200 million for injured clients across Florida.
For Blakeley, joining and supporting Riverwalk

For Blakeley, joining and supporting Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale represents both a professional commitment and a personal one. “Fort Lauderdale is not just where we practice law – it’s home,” he said. “Being part of Riverwalk means giving back to the community that has supported me from the very beginning.”

Th rough this partnership, Blakeley Law Firm continues its dual mission: advocating for accident victims in the courtroom while also supporting the cultural and civic heartbeat of the city it proudly calls home.

Membership – November 2025 Go Riverwalk Magazine

Fort Lauderdale, FL – December 30, 2025 – The 16th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood
Festival will highlight some of South Florida’s amazing seafood vendors and purveyors this
Saturday, January 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m at Esplanade Park. This annual celebration of
South Florida’s dynamic culinary scene features free admission, tantalizing seafood bites and fun
for all families, with the iconic Hermit Crab races returning and new in 2026, the Grove Lounge for
those 21 and over.

What to Expect at Seafood Festival:

• Fresh Stone Crabs and more presented by sponsor Vinny’s Stone Crabs & Seafood
• A diverse lineup of local restaurants and gourmet food trucks offering signature seafood dishes and a $5 item including:
  Garlick Crabhouse, Catch and Cut, Florida’s Best Caribbean Seafood Market, Florida’s Fine Food Corp, Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria Napoletana – Delray Beach, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, Popo’s Seafood, Mr. Lobster, Lobsta Rolls, Fisheria Ensenada, Tio Paella and Eat Da Bone BBQ
• The Hermit Crab Races sponsored by Finster Murphy’s Fresh Seafood
• NEW IN 2026: The Grove Lounge at Seafood Festival – A premium experience for attendees 21 and over with open bar and small bites. Bar sponsored by Swiggle, and supported by Tierra de Ensueño Tequila, J Street Imports (Wines), Bella Principessa Prosecco and Papa’s Grappa, with more to come. Food from Chimney House and Red Door Asian Bistro (while available) with additional food offerings in the works. All food and drink are available while supplies last. Lounge area opens at 11:30 am with last admission at 3:15 pm.

More information about the event including registration is available at
www.GoRiverwalk.com/seafood with updates through Riverwalk’s social media accounts,
@RvierwalkFTL on Facebook and Instagram.

The generous support of event sponsors and Riverwalk partners ensures that attendance at the Stone
Crab & Seafood Festival remains free and open to the public. We thank our event sponsors:
Toothaker.org, Bloom Sparkling Energy, Original Fat Cats, Vinny’s Stone Crabs & Seafood, Finster Murphy’s Fresh Seafood, Catch & Cut, Swiggle, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Morningstar Storage – Fat Village, GoRiverwalk Magazine and S. Mark Graphics.

For more information and sponsor and vendor inquiries contact events@GoRiverwalk.com or call
954‑468‑1541.

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.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – October 14, 2025 – The flavors of fall will follow South Florida’s first burst of fall weather to Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk this Saturday as Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale hosts the 9^th 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.

“The Fall Festival is a great opportunity for all families to enjoy a day in the park with traditional fall entertainment and no cost for admission, “said Riverwalk president and CEO Genia Duncan Ellis. “This event kicks off our public programming for the season, with free admission to most Riverwalk events, thanks to the support of our wonderful sponsors and partners.”

Free admission to the 9^th annual Riverwalk Fall Festival is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners. The 9^th annual Riverwalk Fall Festival is sponsored by: Galleria Fort Lauderdale, FHIA, Rick and Flo Celender, Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. – Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers, Morningstar Storage – FAT Village, Swiggle, Aupale Vodka, Tequila Supremacia, Oo-Lah Cocktails, J Street Imports, Whipped Fusion, S. Mark Graphics and Go Riverwalk Magazine. 

Riverwalk’s 2025-2026 event season will continue with:

• Downtown Day of the Dead – Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 3 pm to 8 pm – Esplanade Park/SW 2^nd St/Riverwalk, followed by the Day of the Dead Street Festival at Revolution Live/SW 3^rd Ave
• Light Up Lauderdale (Get Lit) – Thursday, November 6, 2025 – 6 pm to 8:30 pm – Esplanade Park
• 5^th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival – Saturday, November 15, 2025 – 12 pm to 4 pm – Esplanade Park
• Riverwalk Holiday Lights Cruise* – Monday, December 8, 2025 – 5 pm to 7 pm – Laura Ward Riverwalk Plaza
• 16^th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival – Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 11 am to 4 pm – Esplanade Park

*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 shortly.

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. 

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.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – October 22, 2025 – Seasonably cool South Florida temperatures set the stage perfectly for a great day of themed, seasonal fun at the the 9^th annual Riverwalk Fall Festival this past Saturday, October 18 at Esplanade Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Fall Festival is the first in a series of free public events and programs hosted by Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, during the 2025-2026 events season.

With pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, sand art and other games and activities, as well as fall-inspired beverages at the Riverwalk Bar tent, there was something at the Fall Festival for everyone in the community to enjoy. In addition, the Museum of Discovery & Science engaged the audience with inspiring fall-themed science demonstrations, the local Elite Dynamic Cloggers delighted audiences with their electric dance routines, and Las Olas Capital Arts sponsored local artist and muralist Blake Burns displayed his original artwork. Curated local food trucks, amazing local arts and craft vendors and entertainment by local celebrity DJ Two Story Lori rounded out the afternoon.

Admission to the 9^th annual Riverwalk Fall Festival was free, and proceeds from sponsorships, games and bar sales benefited Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, one of the lead organizations in making Fort Lauderdale’s downtown Riverwalk District the foremost place to Live, Work and Play. 

Free admission to Riverwalk’s public events is made possible by the generous support of sponsors and partners. The 9^th annual Riverwalk Fall Festival was sponsored by: Galleria Fort Lauderdale, FHIA, Rick and Flo Celender, Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. – Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers, Morningstar Storage – FAT Village, Swiggle, Aupale Vodka, Tequila Supremacia, Oo-Lah Cocktails, J Street Imports, Whipped Fusion, S. Mark Graphics and Go Riverwalk Magazine. 

Riverwalk’s 2025-2026 event season will continue with:

• Downtown Day of the Dead – Saturday, November 1, 2025 – 3 pm to 8 pm – Esplanade Park/SW 2^nd St/Riverwalk, followed by the Day of the Dead Street Festival at Revolution Live/SW 3^rd Ave
• Light Up Lauderdale (Get Lit) – Thursday, November 6, 2025 – 6 pm to 8:30 pm – Esplanade Park
• 5^th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival – Saturday, November 15, 2025 – 12 pm to 4 pm – Esplanade Park
• Riverwalk Holiday Lights Cruise* – Monday, December 8, 2025 – 5 pm to 7 pm – Laura Ward Riverwalk Plaza
• 16^th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival – Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 11 am to 4 pm – Esplanade Park

*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 shortly.

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 Presdent at jeremy@GoRiverwalk.com. 

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.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – November 13, 2025 – Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale invites the community to Esplanade Park this Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 12 PM to 4 PM for the 5th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival (RIFF). This free public event is part of Riverwalk’s 2025–2026 signature event season and showcases the rich flavors that define South Florida’s dynamic food scene.

Set along the picturesque Riverwalk, the festival will feature curated food vendors representing global cuisines—from Caribbean and Latin American staples to inventive fusion dishes. Guests will enjoy international bites, refreshing beverages, live music by musician Jonny Edwards, and lawn games in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.

Confirmed vendors reflect the international flavors, including: Pummarola, The Hibachi Wagon by Chef Alex, Gimme Grillin, Dutchy’s Sausages, Country Yaad, Kitty Boba Tea, Old World Polish Deli, Pinky’s Tacos, La Birrieria Tijuana and Kabob King. 

Attendees 21 and over will be able to enjoy a VIP Tasting Experience featuring local brewery Tarpon River Brewing, food from local restaurants The Chimney House and Señor Frogs, cocktails from Aupale Vodka, Oo-Lah RTD cocktails and J Street Wines! All food and drink is available while supplies last, final VIP admittance at 3:15 PM. Tickets are $30 when purchased before 12 pm on Friday, November 14, $35 at the event. More information and VIP tickets are available at www.GoRiverwalk.com/RIFF.

Event admission is free, and proceeds from sponsorships and bar sales benefit Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, a 501(c)(3) non-profit and one of the lead organizations in making Fort Lauderdale’s downtown Riverwalk District the foremost place to Live, Work and Play. 

Free admission to Riverwalk events is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners. The 5th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival is sponsored by: Journey Kid’s Dental, Rick and Flo Celender, Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. – Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers, Morningstar Storage – FAT Village, Swiggle, Aupale Vodka, Oo-Lah Cocktails, J Street Imports, Mark Graphics and Go Riverwalk Magazine. 

Riverwalk’s 2025–2026 event season continues with:

• Riverwalk Holiday Lights Cruise – Monday, December 8, 2025 – 5 PM to 7 PM – Laura Ward Riverwalk Plaza (ticketed event)
• 16th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival – Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 11 AM to 4 PM – Esplanade Park

The schedule of events for the rest of the 2025-2026 season will be available shortly.

For more information on sponsor and vendor opportunities, please email events@GoRiverwalk.com or call (954) 468-1541.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – November 6, 2025 – Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale invites the community to Esplanade Park on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 12 PM to 4 PM for the 5th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival(RIFF), a vibrant celebration of culinary creativity. This free public event is part of Riverwalk’s 2025–2026 signature event season and showcases the rich flavors that define South Florida’s dynamic food scene.

Set along the picturesque Riverwalk, the festival will feature curated food vendors representing global cuisines—from Caribbean and Latin American staples to inventive fusion dishes. Guests will enjoy international bites, refreshing beverages, live music by musician Jonny Edwards, and lawn games in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.

“RIFF is a true reflection of the cultural richness of our community,” said Eugenia Duncan Ellis, President and CEO of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. “We’re most proud to bring together flavors from around the world in one place, and even prouder to make this event free and open to everyone.”

Confirmed vendors reflect the international flavors, including: The Greek, Pummarola, Gimme Grillin, Dutchy’s Sausages, Country Yaad, Kitty Boba Tea, Old World Polish Deli, Pinky’s Tacos, with more to be announced before the event. 

Attendees 21 and over will be able to enjoy a VIP Tasting Experience featuring local brewery Tarpon River Brewing, food from local restaurants The Chimney House and Señor Frogs, cocktails from Aupale Vodka, Oo-Lah RTD cocktails, J Street Wines and more! All food and drink is available while supplies last. Tickets are $30 when purchased before 12 pm on Friday, November 14, $35 at the event. More information and VIP tickets are available at www.GoRiverwalk.com/RIFF.

Admission is free, and proceeds from sponsorships and bar sales benefit Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, a 501(c)(3) non-profit and one of the lead organizations in making Fort Lauderdale’s downtown Riverwalk District the foremost place to Live, Work and Play. 

Free admission to Riverwalk events is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners. The 5th Annual Riverwalk International Food Festival is sponsored by: Journey Kid’s Dental, Rick and Flo Celender, Blakeley Law Firm, P.A. – Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyers, Morningstar Storage – FAT Village, Swiggle, Aupale Vodka, Oo-Lah Cocktails, J Street Imports, Mark Graphics and Go Riverwalk Magazine. 

Riverwalk’s 2025–2026 event season continues with:

• Riverwalk Holiday Lights Cruise – Monday, December 8, 2025 – 5 PM to 7 PM – Laura Ward Riverwalk Plaza (ticketed event)
• 16th Annual Riverwalk Stone Crab & Seafood Festival – Saturday, January 3, 2026 – 11 AM to 4 PM – Esplanade Park

The schedule of events for the rest of the 2025-2026 season will be available shortly.

For more information on sponsor and vendor opportunities, please email events@GoRiverwalk.com or call (954) 468-1541.