FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The annual Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale has officially been canceled due to high winds that are expected to continue through the weekend.
The strong gusts of up to 40 mph caused choppy waters Thursday near the Las Olas Bridge and kept organizers of the parade from doing any decorating before they ultimately decided to cancel Friday.
The parade had been scheduled for Saturday.
According to a spokesperson for the city of Fort Lauderdale, this is the first time in the 52-year history of the parade that it’s canceled due to weather and unsafe boating conditions.
The parade was, however, canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spokesperson said Friday night’s Grand Marshall reception will still occur as scheduled.
Local 10 News spoke with Denese Inniss, boat owner of the South Beach Lady who said that she and her staff had been preparing for the event for at least six months.
“That’s the stage ready for Boyz II Men that we’re going to miss this year,” she said. “Sad, so sad, but it is what it is.”
“We’re dressed up with no place to go and that’s the sad part about this,” Inniss added.
From their social media accounts, Winterfest posted a photo saying “See you next year” and sent out a statement that said in part:
“The decision to cancel the event was made under the guidance and advisement of the United States Coast Guard, Fort Lauderdale Marine Patrol, Fort Lauderdale Fire Department, and other relevant agencies.”
Fort Lauderdale, Florida l, Friday, December 15, 2023 - The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2023, has been canceled due to unprecedented weather conditions, including heavy winds and unsafe boating conditi... https://t.co/KfwppCHJjw pic.twitter.com/IhtiCi2Pne
— Winterfest Parade (@WinterfestInc) December 15, 2023
As the winds picked up on Friday, decorations blew around while boat owners prepared for the nasty weather.
“We’ll batten down everything and make sure there’s nothing loose that can get blown away,” said boat owner Steve Van Clief. “We’re pretty much tied in very well here. We’ve ridden through some of the other tropical storms so we’re not really as worried about this one.”
The boat parade brings in roughly $50 million to the local economy, so the cancelation is a big blow to local businesses.
Officials also pushed back a popular holiday boat parade in Pompano Beach due to poor weather Friday.
The Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade, scheduled for Friday, has been postponed until Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.