Another year, another boat parade. Head downtown on Saturday Dec 11 and maintain a 6' distance from your fellow humans.
Post from 2015
The Winterfest Boat Parade is Saturday so expect Downtown Fort Lauderdale to be a big mess. The streets will be packed with people trying to see boats with fancy lights on them. If you don't want to have to push and shove your way to see the boats, you can buy tickets to the grandstand for just $25. It's $3 more than last year because, you know, 13% inflation is clearly justified. If you're a senior, you can save $3.
The action is mostly on N New River Drive E, which is the road that runs between the Lobster Bar Sea Grille and the empty lot where the Icon was supposed to be.
The grassy areas nearest the water will be filled with folding chairs and blankets; people will even put blankets on the street as it will be closed to traffic. The best viewing is in front of the Watergarden condo; but it will also be the most crowded there. Facing east you'll see the tail end of the parade.
Like most things in Fort Lauderdale, it's the exact same thing every year, so if you've seen it once you know what you'll get this year. For something that's supposed to be a big deal; to me it's about as exciting as another Art Fair. In fact, I was so excited about it that I didn't even remember that it was today until I saw all of the road closings along the river.
