Fort Lauderdale Celebrates 100 Birthday with Weekend of Festivities
Centennial Beachfest - Saturday, March 26 (8:00 p.m. – midnight)
Centennial Riverfest - Sunday, March 27 (noon – 8:00 p.m.)
Both Free Events will Feature Live Music and Fireworks
Shannon Vezina , Public Information Specialist
For more information, call the 24-hour Customer Servce Center at 954.828.8000
Fort Lauderdale - The Centennial Celebration for the City of Fort Lauderdale’s 100th Birthday includes a full weekend of once-in-a-lifetime festivities to commemorate the historic milestone. Two fun-filled days of free events will be open to the public as Fort Lauderdale and the Sun Sentinel both honor their 100-year anniversary.
Centennial Beachfest – Saturday, March 26 (8:00 p.m. – midnight) on Fort Lauderdale’s picturesque beachfront, from A1A and Las Olas Boulevard north to the Ritz-Carlton. The free event will feature outdoor live musical entertainment, family-friendly activities, prizes and giveaways. The event grand finale will include a sensational fireworks show at midnight, when Fort Lauderdale officially turns 100! Centennial Beachfest is sponsored by the Fort Lauderdale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. For more information on Beachfest, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov or www.TheNewFortLauderdaleBeach.com.
Sun Trolley service will be available during event hours. Visit www.suntrolley.com for more information.
For information about beach parking, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/parking/parking.htm.
The Centennial Beachfest entertainment schedule is as follows:
Promenade Stage
A1A and Las Olas Boulevard
8:00 – 8:45 -- Norenna Downey Duo (Set 1)
9:00 – 9:45 -- Norenna Downey Duo (Set 2)
10:00 – 10:45 -- Norenna Downey Duo (Set 3)
11:00 – 11:40 -- Norenna Downey Duo (Set 4)
11:40 -- Bahamas Junkanoo Revue
11:45 -- Program
11:59 -- Countdown to Fireworks
Midnight -- Fireworks
Beach Place Stage
A1A and Cortez
8:00 – 8:55 -- Swahili (Reggae)
9:05 – 10:00 -- Swahili (Reggae)
11:00 – 11:30 -- Swahili (Reggae)
Sidewalk Performers
A1A from Las Olas to the Ritz-Carlton
8:00 – Midnight -- Bahamas Junkanoo Revue -- Marching Along A1A
8:00 – Midnight -- Rafael Flamenco Guitar -- Spazio's
8:00 – Midnight -- Freddie Freund (Alternative) -- Along A1A Sidewalk
8:00 – Midnight -- Latino Fire (Latin/Alternative) -- Sangrias
8:00 – Midnight -- DJ Eran Hirsh (DJ club music) -- Rock Bar/Exit 66
8:00 – Midnight -- Alex Fox (Latin Flamenco) -- Cafe Del Mar
8:00 – Midnight -- Rick The Music Shaker -- Margarita Cantina
8:00 – Midnight -- Jonathon Panks (Classic rock) -- Along A1A Sidewalk
8:00 – Midnight -- Irie (Reggae) -- Ritz-Carlton
8:00 – Midnight -- Stilt Walker -- Promenade Area A1A / Las Olas
8:00 – Midnight -- Bob Folse (Latin with percussion) -- Vendor Area / Oceanside Parking Lot
Centennial Riverfest, Presented by AutoNation – Centennial Riverfest, presented by AutoNation, will take place from noon to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, along the Riverwalk promenade in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Public parking will be available for a special $5 flat rate at the City Park Garage, located at 150 SE 2nd Street.
Centennial Riverfest will showcase the Fort Lauderdale of yesterday, today and tomorrow at the following sites along the Riverwalk, starting at Huizenga Plaza and continuing west to Esplanade Park, across from the Museum of Discovery and Science:
• Present - Huizenga Plaza (SE corner of Las Olas and Andrews Avenue)
• International - Las Olas Riverfront (On the Riverwalk, at Las Olas Riverfront mall)
• Past - Fort Lauderdale History Center (SW 2nd Avenue)
• Future - Esplanade Park (400 SW 2nd Street)
The event will feature live musical performances, Radio Disney, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the Florida Panthers, Red Bull athlete Terry Adams, Yankee Roll Call Radio, world-renowned pop artist Charles Fazzino, an antique collector car show, children's activities, historical exhibits, food, beverages and crafts.
The following is an overview of activities that will take place at each site. Please note that all times are approximate and subject to change.
"Present" Event Area - Huizenga Plaza (Noon – 8:00 P.M.)
- Live musical performances:
- 12:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Big City Dogs
- 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Shadow Creek
- 3:50 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Brass Evolution
- Sun Sentinel is going to take you "Dancing Through the Decades." Join us for an illustration of the past 100 years, based on the transitions and influences of the world as seen through the Sun Sentinel and its relationship to the City of Fort Lauderdale and all of South Florida. Dancing Through the Decades will celebrate the cultural changes seen through music and dance and how our country and community has transformed from decade to decade.
- Fireworks from two different rooftops at 8:00 p.m.
- Centennial artist Charles Fazzino will sell copies of the official Centennial poster
- Red Bull BMX athlete Terry Adams will demonstrate his skills
- More than 25 Craft/non-profits/sponsor vendor booths
- Food vendors
- Birthday Cake Procession - The giant 4’x8’ birthday cake donated by Publix will be brought to the main stage around 2:00 p.m. and put on display until the cake cutting and giveaway at 5:45 p.m.
- Unveiling of Fort Lauderdale Strikers new logo
- Awards for the car show, which will be set up throughout the event area
International" Event Area - Las Olas Riverfront (Noon – 5:00 P.M.)
International entertainment from Fort Lauderdale's Sister Cities, including:
- Argentina – Tango Dance Lessons - Puppet Performance
- Haifa – Belly Dancing and Popular Singer/Soloist
- Panama – National Folkloric Dance Troupe
- Italy – Italian Songs/Soloist and Venetian Costumes
- Colombia – Latin Music and Dancers
- Irish Cloggers
- Numerous City/Country displays will showcase culture, crafts, travel, etc.
- Presentations from Sun Sentinel Staff Writers
- Tea leaf readings to reveal your future
"Past" Event Area - Historical Society Area (Noon – 5:00 P.M.)
- Music and stories that celebrate the founding of Fort Lauderdale in 1911. The popular music of Scott Joplin, Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, Stephen Foster and others will be presented by performers that will include:
- Singers from the Folk Club of South Florida
- John Blosser (mountain dulcimer)
- Heartstrings with Marg Chauven (harp and banjo)
- Billie Messer (guitar)
- Von Henry (vocalist) and her accompanist Mel Dancy (piano)
- Tony Thomas (banjo and guitar)
- Rod MacDonald (guitar)
- The Sunshine Chordsmen (barbershop chorus)
- The Mount Olivet Seventh-Day Adventist Church Choir
- The Dillard High School Jazz Band
- Yankee Roll Call Radio – Join Yankee Roll Call hosts, Joe Castello & Paul Bauer, from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. as they interview Yankee Insiders and other Special Guests in a landmark tribute to the New York Yankees' legendary 33-years of Spring Training in Fort Lauderdale, from 1962-1995. The radio program will be set up at Tarpon Bend, at SW 2nd Street and 2nd Avenue
- Gator Wrestling from Native Village - Alligator “wrestling” has been part of the Seminole Tribe culture and tradition for centuries. The Seminole “wrestlers” captured alligators for their hides and meat, and often, traded them to coastal settlers for beads and other necessities. Generations of Seminole Tribal members have learned and perfected these alligator “wrestling” techniques, while maintaining the reptile’s wellbeing and safety. “Wrestlers” are always in danger of serious harm, but the tradition continues to strengthen over time.
- Presentations from Sun Sentinel writers
- People in costume, such as Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, Ivy Stranahan, Henry Flagler and other figures from Fort Lauderdale’s past
- Stranahan High School's future educators will teach a lesson in the 1899 Replica School House
- Tours of the King-Cromartie House
- Historic walking tours of the area
- Representatives from local historic and cultural organizations celebrating Broward Attractions and Museums Month (Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, Old Dillard Museum, Stranahan House, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, the Bonnet House, the Fort Lauderdale Women's Club)
- The Florida Public Archeology Network with archeological activities for children
"Future" Children’s Event Area – Esplanade (Noon – 5:00 P.M.)
- Radio Disney - games, contests, DJ, etc.
- Fort Lauderdale Strikers interactive inflatable and activity
- Florida Panthers interactive activity
- Entertainment on gazebo stage by children’s dance groups representing China, Africa, Haiti and Appalachian Clogging
- Urban Farming & Kids Ecology Corp will be doing a free plant giveaway
- Recycling demonstration and interactive area for kids
- Hands-on craft booths
- Fire Safety House
- Displays and interactive activities by area agencies and sponsors (Museum of Discovery and Science, the Sun Sentinel, etc
.)
The City of Fort Lauderdale would like to thank the following Centennial sponsors:
AutoNation, Sun Sentinel, CH2M Hill, FPL, Huizenga Holdings, Nova Southeastern University, Broward Health, Hazen & Sawyer, JM Family, Comcast, Wheelabrator, Heineken, Publix, Lochrie & Chakas and Clear Channel
To learn more about the 2011 Centennial Celebration, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov.
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