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Mayor’s Message

A Fort Lauderdale Holiday Spectacular!
Get Ready to Ring in the New Year at Downtown Countdown!

s we head into the final weeks of 2017, Fort Lauderdale brings you an
A outstanding lineup of special events that the entire family can enjoy!

On Wednesday, December 20, Fort Lauderdale renews a time-honored holiday
tradition when we host our annual Santa on the Beach event. This holiday favorite is
fun for children and adults of all ages. Santa will depart at noon from our Parks and
Recreation Department at Broward Boulevard and S.W. 14 Avenue aboard an antique
fire truck. With sirens blaring, he will head toward downtown, travel along Las Olas
Boulevard, and arrive at the beach at 600 Seabreeze Boulevard at 12:45 pm. From
there, Santa will make his traditional walk up the beach greeting locals and tourists,
posing for selfies, handing our candy, and spreading holiday cheer.

We culminate the holiday season in grand fashion with the Fort Lauderdale Orange Bowl
John P. ‘Jack’ Seiler Downtown Countdown, a spectacular New Year’s Eve celebration that has grown into
Mayor, City of Fort Lauderdale
one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. This free event will take place from
City Hall 4:30 pm to 1:00 am along S.W. 2 Street in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
100 N. Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
John P. “Jack” Seiler
Mayor
954.828.5003
jack.seiler@fortlauderdale.gov
Bruce Roberts
District 1 Commissioner
954.828.5004
BRoberts@fortlauderdale.gov
Dean Trantalis
District 2 Commissioner
954.828.5004
Robert L. McKinzie
Vice Mayor
District 3 Commissioner
954.828.5004
RMckinzie@fortlauderdale.gov
Romney Rogers
District 4 Commissioner
954.828.5004
RRogers@fortlauderdale.gov
Lee R. Feldman
City Manager
954.828.5013
LFeldman@fortlauderdale.gov For the seventh consecutive year, Fort Lauderdale is proud to partner with the Orange
Bowl for Downtown Countdown. The Orange Bowl’s participation and support has
helped significantly raise the profile of this event by expanding our reach to a national
audience. Today, Downtown Countdown attracts tens of thousands of visitors who are
in town to celebrate the holidays, take part in the Orange Bowl festivities, enjoy Fort
Lauderdale’s outstanding weather, beaches, shopping, restaurants and activities, and of
course, ring in the New Year.

Downtown Countdown offers something for everyone. From 4:30 to 8:30 pm, the event
features family activities including inflatables, slides, face painting, games, contests,
and line dancing with DJ William Pennhouse. From 8:00 pm to 1:00 am, Downtown

10 HARBOR BEACH Magazine | www.harborbeach.org