The Landings & Bay Colony
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Mayor’s Message
John P, “Jack” Seiler
Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale
Signature Events Highlight Our Celebration of the Season
A
s we head into the final months of the year, the City of Fort Lauderdale brings you
an outstanding lineup of special events for the entire family!
Experience a Fort Lauderdale Thanksgiving Day tradition on November 26, by
participating in the 5th Annual Turkey Trot & Paddle. This unique event offers
participants a chance to compete in a 5K run/walk or a 2-mile stand-up paddleboard
race. Both races begin at 7:30 am at D.C. Alexander Park, located at 501
Seabreeze Boulevard, and continue north along world famous A1A, providing
competitors with breathtaking views of the Fort Lauderdale sunrise.
The excitement continues as we ring in the holidays with three spectacular “Light Up”
events. On Thursday, November 12 at 6:00 pm “Light Up Lauderdale” took place at
Esplanade Park, 400 SW 2nd Street, featuring dazzling lights and decorations along
downtown’s Riverwalk plus sleigh rides, train rides, crafts, kids activities, and holiday
entertainment. “Light Up the Beach” takes center stage on Tuesday, November 24 at
5:30 pm with the illumination of more than 50,000 holiday lights along our
picturesque beachfront. Don’t miss the debut of our larger-than-life 20-foot Beach
Snowman at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard, along with a holiday choir, symphonic
band concert, and kids’ zone with Santa, slides, and pony rides. Historic Sistrunk
Boulevard comes alive on Friday, December 4 at 5:00 pm with “Light Up Sistrunk,”
featuring a free toy giveaway, kids zone with real snow, photos with Santa, music,
entertainment, and the lighting of a gigantic holiday tree.
On Saturday, December 5 at 4:30 pm at Florence C. Hardy Park, 25 SW 9th Street,
the City of Fort Lauderdale presents our first “Tour de Lights Holiday Family Fun Ride.”
Decorate your bike, put on your favorite holiday attire, and join us as we ride through
the historic Tarpon Bend neighborhood enjoying all of the wonderfully decorated
holiday homes. After the bike ride, break our your blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic
baskets and join your family, friends and neighbors as we watch the popular holiday
comedy “Elf” played on an outdoor big screen at Hardy Park.
Fort Lauderdale’s holiday celebration hits high gear on Saturday night December 12
with the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade featuring Grand Marshal Nick
Cannon. Billed as the “Greatest Show on H2O,” the boat parade draws 1 million
spectators to the shores of our New River for an enchanted evening on the water that
symbolizes the spirit and tradition of the season.
We culminate the holiday season with the Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl Downtown
Countdown, a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration along SW 2nd Street that
draws hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors to our City. The event showcases
Fort Lauderdale to a global audience, strengthens our reputation as a must-see
destination, and generates millions for our local economy.
All of these events are made possible through the hard work of City staff, local
organizations, and the generous contributions of our sponsors. But what truly makes these
events so special is the tremendous support they receive from all of you – our neighbors.
As we move forward, we will continue to promote high profile special events that
enhance tourism, foster community spirit, and enrich quality of life, while working together
to make Fort Lauderdale the best place to live, work, play, visit and raise a family.
Enjoy the holidays!
I
John P. “Jack” Seiler
Mayor
Get Ready for a Fort Lauderdale Holiday Spectacular!
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