Broward County Events – Mardi Gras and Renaissance Festivals

Following are some Broward County events to entice residents and vacationers alike:

Duck Fest (February 2, 2008 at 11 a.m.) – The Duck Derby festivities are at Esplanade Park on the New River in Fort Lauderdale.  Following the event will be music, food and various children’s activities.  The event is free and you can adopt a duck for $5; benefits Kids in Distress.

Great Bridal Expo (February 2, 2008 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.) – at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center.  Did you get engaged recently?  If you’re planning a wedding, this is the place to go to check out everything for your wedding and honeymoon all in one convenient place!

Mardi Gras Fiesta Tropicale (February 2nd from 10 a.m.-midnight & Feb. 3rd from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.) – ArtsPark at Young Circle at the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. & U.S. 1/Federal Hwy. in downtown Hollywood.  Festivities include a costume and float parade, live music, Louisiana cuisine,  For details, call 954-921-3016.

Florida Renaissance Festival ( February 9th – March 9th, 2008; 10 a.m. till sunset; weekends only) – Come to Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach to partake in this annual festival which celebrates Medieval Times. Watch costumed performers including jousting knights.  See educational demonstrations of period trades and crafts.  Peruse the dozens of artisans selling their wares.  Feast on food fit for a king!

A1A Marathon Health & Fitness Expo (February 15th from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. and February 16th from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.) – at the Broward County Convention Center.  The A1A Marathon is from Las Olas Blvd. to the Hillsboro Inlet and takes place on Sunday, February 17th.  For more info, call 561-241-3801.

Orange Blossom Festival, Parade & Rodeo (February 23rd at 8 p.m. & February 24th at 2 p.m.) – at the Bergeron Rodeo in Davie.  See 80 cowboys and cowgirls compete in bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bullriding!

Taste of the Beach (February 27, 2008 from 5-9 p.m.) – at El Prado & the Beach (just north of Commercial Blvd.) in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.  Admission will get you the best offerings of food from 45 local restaurants.  There will also be entertainment and a silent auction.  For details, call 954-776-1000

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Broward County Events – CanadaFest, Art, Antiques and more!

Here’s a list of some upcoming Broward County events scheduled for this month.  Take advantage of the cooler weather January offers!

Las Olas Art Fair (January 5-6, 2008, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. between SE 6th Ave and SE 11th Ave., Fort Lauderdale) – Enjoy the cooler weather while strolling along the famed Las Olas Boulevard and perusing the various arts, crafts and more available for purchase.

SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch – Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale (the first Sunday of every month from 11 a.m. -2 p.m.).  Jazz music performed on four stages along the historic New River.  Bring a picnic basket, blanket, chairs, children and even your dog! For more information call the 24-hour hotline: 954-828-5363.

Broadwalk Friday Fest – Takes place from 7-10 p.m. on the 2nd & 4th Friday of every month at Hollywood Beach’s popular Broadwalk.  Come out and enjoy some live music (jazz, blues, pop, etc.) while enjoying the ocean breezes.  While you’re there, get a bite to eat at one of the many beachfront cafes and restaurants.  Call 954-924-2980 for more info.

Dania Beach Art & Antique Festival (January 25-27, 2008) – Some of the nation’s leading dealers will be showcasing along Dania Beach’s historic Art & Antique District.  There will also be live music and entertainment.  Call 954-921-1231 for additional information.

CanadaFest 2008 (January 26th & 27th from 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.) – along the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk.  Come and enjoy some French-Canadian culture along with food, entertainment and arts & crafts.

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Broward County Events – Holiday Happenings 2007

 

The following are upcoming Broward County events scheduled for this month.  There are certainly plenty of events to help you get into the holiday spirit, so pick one!

• Victoria Park Holiday Home Tour (December 1-2, 2007, starting at 1:00 PM) – tour six homes that are decorated for the holidays.  For more information call 954-467-2008
• Florida Dive Show (December 1-2, 2007) at the Broward County Convention Center – the largest dive show in Florida.
• SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch – Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale (the first Sunday of every month from 11 a.m. -2 p.m.).  Jazz music performed on four stages along the historic New River.  Bring a picnic basket, blanket, chairs, children and even your dog! For more information call the 24-hour hotline: 954-828-5363.
• Christmas by the Sea (Tuesday, December 4th) at Commercial Blvd. and the Beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.  Live entertainment, hayrides, and watch the lighting of the giant Christmas tree. Santa will arrive in the parade. See it snow in South Florida!  For more information call 954-776-1000.
• Hollywood Beach Candy Cane Parade (Saturday, December 8, 2007) – with Ron Magill of Miami’s MetroZoo as Grand Marshall.  This year’s theme is “Penguins in Paradise” and the parade features floats and marching bands.  For more information call 954-921-3404.
• Weston Holiday Home Tour (Sunday, December 9th) – a ticketed event benefitting Kids in Distress.  Two tours, 11 am & 2 pm.  Trolleys will depart from Weston Town Center’s Clock Tower on Main Street.  (No children under the age of 12.)  For more information call 954-252-3365.
• City of Coral Springs Holiday Parade (Wednesday, December 12th at 7 pm) – A parade along Sample Road from Coral Springs Drive to University Drive; featuring floats, bands and other entries, all with a sports theme.  For more information call 954-345-2112.
• Historic 1930’s Wray Home Decorated for the Holidays (now through December 31, 2007; closed Christmas Day) – Flamingo Gardens in Davie; guided tours from 10 am – 4 pm.  Santa will visit the Wray Home on Saturday/Sunday, December 22 & 23 from 10 am – 2 pm.
• Bodies… the Exhibition (now through February 17, 2008) at Las Olas Riverfront, 300 SW First Ave., Suite 214, Fort Lauderdale – an interesting look at the human body.
• Light Up Lauderdale (after dark; now through January 8, 2008) – view holiday lights and displays along the Riverwalk, Las Olas Blvd., Broward Performing Arts Center, Esplanade Park, and Huizenga Plaza.
• Winterfest Boat Parade (6:30 pm on Saturday – December 15, 2007) – this year’s celebration marks the beginning of a new starting location for the boat parade (in downtown Fort Lauderdale at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on the New River).  This year’s theme is “Magical Movie Moments” and the parade will then travel east to the Intracoastal Waterway and continue north to Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.
• George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker“ (Friday-Sunday, December 21-23, 2007) at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

“Christmas on Las Olas” is a Joyful Holiday Event!

The holiday season is in full bloom!  If you missed this year’s “Christmas on Las Olas” holiday event in Fort Lauderdale, be sure to put it on your calendar for next year.  The event kicked off just as the sun went down.  The boulevard trees are now wrapped in tiny white lights and there are interesting holiday light displays not only on the Las Olas Boulevard medians but also atop many of the local businesses.  “Snow Mountain” was a big hit with kids and, of course, Santa was available for pictures!  Everywhere you looked there was something going on.  The festivities included Christmas carolers, dancers, performers dressed in Dickens-style costumes, as well as music ensembles, bell ringers, karaoke and live jazz.  There was even a holiday movie being shown on a big screen with an open seating area.  All this and admission was free!

The Las Olas Boulevard shops showed their holiday spirit with displays of all kinds, including live mannequins!  Even the Riverside Hotel and restaurants along the route gleamed with lots of holiday lights, wreaths and other holiday decorations.  The historic Stranahan House was also decorated for the season and open to the public at a discounted rate.  See a 60-second show of some of the highlights of the 2007 Chrismas on Las Olas event!  The Christmas ornaments pictured here are from one of my favorite Las Olas Blvd. shops – the Seldom Seen Gallery.

Broward County Events – Fair, Expo and Christmas Festivities

 ::  To view Broward County Events for DECEMBER 2007, click here.  ::

The following are upcoming Broward County events scheduled for this November.  There’s a terrific variety of events to pick from this month… you’re bound to find one you’ll want to go to!

• Broward County Fair at the Fort Lauderdale Stadium (November 15-25, 2007) – over 100 rides, games and attractions!
• Dine Out Lauderdale (October 1st-November 15, 2007) – 35 of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s top restaurants are offering 3-course menus for $35.
• SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch – Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale (the first Sunday of every month from 11 a.m. -2 p.m.).  Jazz music performed on four stages along the historic New River.  Bring a picnic basket, blanket, chairs, children and even your dog! For more information call the 24-hour hotline: 954-828-5363.
• “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular“ is a 90-minute production starring The Rockettes (November 8-December 2, 2007) – at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
• Fort Lauderdale Fall Home Design and Remodeling Show at the Broward County Convention Center (November 9-12, 2007) –  features a variety of vendors offering remodeling/home improvement services, interior & exterior home services, furnishings and accessories.
• Festival of Trees (November 16th) at the Galleria Mall in Fort Lauderdale – trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses designed, decorated and donated by supporters of the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale and available for purchase.
• South Florida Travel Expo at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention Center (November 17-18,2007) – various travel seminars, food & wine tastings, family entertainment, scuba diving lessons, and travel publications (including book signings).
• The 42nd Annual Christmas on Las Olas (November 27, 2007) – Christmas festivities on Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale including ‘Snow Mountain’, photos with Santa, carolers, performers and lighting displays to feed the holiday spirit.  Then “Holiday Happenings” highlights this popular boulevard every Tuesday in December.

Broward County Events – Art and Film Festivals and a Boat Show!

The following are some Broward County events scheduled for October 2007.  The festivities are plentiful this month and there’s something for everyone, so get out there and enjoy!

:: To view current Broward County Events, click here. ::

• SunTrust Sunday Jazz Brunch – Riverwalk in downtown Fort Lauderdale (the first Sunday of every month from 11 a.m. -2 p.m.).  Jazz music performed on four stages along the historic New River.  Bring a picnic basket, blanket, chairs, children and even your dog! For more information call the 24-hour hotline: 954-828-5363.
• Broward Caribbean Carnival, a Celebration of Cultural Diversity (October 7, 2007) – a parade of bands and carnival show.  The parade begins at noon at the top of NW 12th Avenue and ends inside the fair grounds of Fort Lauderdale Stadium Complex.
• Southeast Winter Sports Show – Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center (October 5-7, 2007) – for those who enjoy cold-weather sports!  For details call 954-765-5900.
• Las Olas Art Festival (October 6-7, 2007 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) – leisurely stroll along Las Olas Blvd. and see paintings, photographs, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry and much more! This is one of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County’s most popular outdoor events offering something for every taste and budget.  For info: 954-472-3755.
• Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (October 15-November 11, 2007) – a 37-day event that will feature over 200 films from around the globe.  Meet the filmmakers and celebrities who will attend many of the screenings and events during the 22nd annual FLIFF.
• Broward County Plant Affair (October 20-21, 2007) at Plantation Heritage Park (501 N. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation).  A plant show and sale, free after $1.50 park admission.  For information call 954-797-2722.
• Viva Broward! (October 20-21, 2007 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Stranahan Park, downtown Fort Lauderdale) – the 18th annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, hosted by Bank of America.
• Hollywood International Art and Music Festival (October 20-21, 2007; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5 in ArtsPark at Youngs Circle in Hollywood).  For details call 954-921-3404.
• Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October 25-29, 2007) – this show is celebrating its 48th year and features over a billion dollar’s worth of boats, yachts and accessories. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is among Broward County’s most attended events and is spread over six locations including the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, the Hyatt Pier 66 Hotel & Marina, the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, the Fort Lauderdale Grande Hotel and Yacht Club, Hall of Fame Marina and Las Olas Marina.
• Art in the Park – Liberty Tree Park in Plantation (October 27-28, 2007) – featuring 150 artists, live entertainment, Kids Korner (with activities, crafts, bounce house and more).  Location: 7421 NW 5th St., Plantation.
• Southern States Bull Riders Finals – Bergeron Rodeo Grounds in Davie (November 3, 2007).

Click here for a list of current Broward County Events!

Broward County Events – Enjoy Live Music and a Clambake!

There’s always some event going on around Broward County.  Now that the weather is starting to cool slightly, why not get out and enjoy some live entertainment along one of our lovely beaches?  If you’ve never been to a clambake, here’s your chance to experience one South Florida style! 

The following are upcoming events in Broward County for the month of September 2007.

• Broadwalk Friday Fest – Hollywood Beach Theatre at Johnson Street (the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month from 7-10 p.m.). Enjoy live music along Hollywood’s 2.5 mile Broadwalk which offers oceanfront eateries so bring your appetite! (click on the link to see a .pdf flyer that includes a listing of restaurants within a short distance of the event).
• Jazz On The Square – Lauderdale by the Sea (every Friday night at 7 p.m. ). An outdoor music festival at Commercial Boulevard and the Beach.
• 6th Annual Hollywood Beach Clambake – Hollywood (Sept. 28-30, 2007 – Friday 5-11 p.m., Saturday 12 noon-11 p.m., Sunday 12 noon-9 p.m.). Enjoy fresh seafood, live music and entertainment on Hollywood’s Broadwalk.  Update: here’s a slideshow from this year’s Hollywood Beach Clambake!

Click here for an up-to-date list of Broward County events!