Fall Calendar for Greater Fort Lauderdale's Promotions and Events

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. October 14, 2008

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, July 22, 2005. This fall and winter visitors will find Greater Fort Lauderdale is the place to be for savings at premier attractions, September seats at the destination's most acclaimed restaurants, a wide variety of fall and winter events, where hundreds of yachts get "decked-out" for the holidays, the only place in the Southeast to see the Original "King of Bling," when King Tut makes his first-ever visit to Florida for a six-month stay at the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale.

Through September 30, Greater Fort Lauderdale's "Summer Saver" program offers visitors 2-for-1 deals at dozens of exciting attractions, including diving excursions, Everglades airboat tours and greens fees at the championship Bonaventure Country Club. For a full list of attractions and hotels in this summer saver program, visit www.sunny.org/summer.

September is also Greater Fort Lauderdale's official restaurant month. For 30 delicious days, visitors can eat high-end cuisine for low-end prices at the destination's most acclaimed restaurants during the third annual Savor Greater Fort Lauderdale. Dozens of tried-and-true area favorites and trendy new hotspots will offer specially created menus at prices as delectable as the cuisine, such as three-course, prix fixe lunches priced at $10.05 or $20.05, and dinners at $20.05 or $30.05. For a list of participating restaurants, visit www.savorfl.com.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to a series of spectacular events throughout the fall and winter. Following is a list of highlighted events. For more information, visit www.sunny.org/calendar or call 800-22-SUNNY (in the U.S. and Canada).

Broward Center for the Performing Arts: Greater Fort Lauderdale's premier performance venue has a full list of A-List plays and musicals scheduled for this fall and winter. Its continuing Broadway Series features four top shows, starting with Phantom of the Opera in late September. The line-up:

o Phantom of the Opera: September 28, 2005 to October 29, 2005

o Evita: November 15, 2005 to November 27, 2005

o Movin' Out: January 3, 2006 to January 15, 2006

o Wicked: February 8, 2006 to February 19, 2006

For more information on the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, call 800-564-9539 or visit www.browardcenter.org.

Oktoberfest on Hollywood Beach, October 1-3: This traditional festival features two stages of authentic German music and dancing, beer tapping ceremony, mountains of food and drink. Open to the public. (954) 926-3377.

Broward Caribbean Carnival, Pompano Park Harness Race Track, October 9: Band performances, parade of children costumes bands, legends of the Caribbean, parade of costumed bands, and an awards presentation round out this cultural celebration. Vendors will be serving up classic carnival food and other entertainment. (954) 972-9628 or visit www.browardcarnival.com.

20th Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF), Fort Lauderdale, October 14 - November 20: The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival celebrates 20 years offering "reel" fun for movie buffs, including world premieres, documentaries, a student competition, black tie gala events and, of course, celebrity appearances. One of the world's longest film festivals and oldest in Florida, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival plays for a full month. (954) 760-9898 or www.fliff.com.

Hollywood International Art & Music Festival, Hollywood Boulevard, October 15-16: Hollywood's most popular annual event, the International Art & Music Festival combines multi-media visual art and fine craftwork with internationally-flavored live acoustic music. The event's setting also invokes the participation of the historic district's charming shops and restaurants, and a green market further enhances the cultured environment. Event hours are 10am-5pm both days. (954) 921-3404.

Viva Broward Hispanic Heritage Festival and Expo, Las Olas Riverwalk, downtown Fort Lauderdale, October 22-23: Music, dancing, art, crafts, and more make for an exciting weekend celebrating Hispanic heritage. This year's 16th annual Viva Broward will feature more than 200 vendors and several stages of live entertainment, including local dancers, salsa and jazz bands showcasing the vibrancy and flavor of Latin culture. Admission is free to the public. (954) 527-0627 or visit www.vivabroward.com.

The 46th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Fort Lauderdale, October 27 - October 31: The largest of its kind in the world, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show features some 1,600 vessels - including 160 Super Yachts - by some of the world's best marine manufacturers and builders. In all, the net worth of the vessels on display will be two billion dollars. Attendees will marvel at some of the most luxurious personal vessels to grace the open waters, part of a seemingly endless array of ships that encompass six separate show sites - all conveniently connected by the Show Transportation Network. General admission for adults is $14, children ages 6-12 are $4 and children under the age of six get in free. Two and five day passes are also available. (954) 764-7642 or 800-940-7642.

23rd Annual Hollywood Jazz Festival, Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, November 18-19: Once again, the Hollywood Jazz Festival brings together some of the best jazz musicians and bands from around the world to the delight of thousands of music lovers. The festival regularly showcases a broad range of jazz genres, including traditional jazz, contemporary jazz and Latin jazz. Performances are from 8pm-11pm each night. For tickets and VIP packages, call 877-877-7677. (954) 778-3032 or visit www.southfloridajazz.org.

Christmas on Las Olas, Las Olas Boulevard, November 30: A 40-year tradition, Christmas on Las Olas offers a chance for visitors to experience unique shopping and dining destinations to kick off the Christmas season. Tours of Las Olas shops that include prize giveaways are available for both children and adults. In addition, visitors will be entertained by choirs, bell ringers, street performers and, for both the young and young at heart, a Snow Mountain. Christmas on Las Olas takes place on Las Olas Blvd. from S.E. 6th Avenue to S.E. 11th Avenue. The area will be closed to vehicular traffic, with approximately 40,000 revelers expected to join in the celebration. 1-888-4-LAS-OLAS or visit www.lasolasboulevard.com.

King Tut: Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale, December 15-April 23, 2006: The Original "King of Bling" makes his debut in Fort Lauderdale with an extensive exhibition of more than 130 treasures from the tomb of the celebrated pharaoh, other Valley of the Kings tombs and additional archaeological sites. Many of the exhibits related to the legendary "Boy King" have never been seen in America. Highlights include a golden diadem, miniature coffins made of gold and a painted wooden mannequin of the young king. To reserve advanced tickets visit www.kingtut.org/tickets or www.sunny.org/tut. For group tickets call 877-787-7711.

Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Intracoastal Waterway, December 17: Ahoy there, boat enthusiasts! One of the most visually dazzling events in the country, the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade was named one of the Top 20 Parades in the World by USA Today. Thousands of brilliantly illuminated ships light up the night sky to the delight of massive crowds during this signature annual event. Other Winterfest activities include a special Intracoastal Decorating Extravaganza where the banks of the waterway are adorned with beautiful multi-colored decorations on December 15 and the elegant Black Tie Ball, Fort Lauderdale's largest holiday gala, December 10 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. (954) 767-0686 or visit www.winterfestparade.com.

43rd Annual Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade, Intracoastal Waterway, December 18: Experience the nation's oldest boat parade as dozens of glittering yachts and vessels delight the thousands of spectators who watch from the shores of the Intracoastal Waterway beginning at Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach north to Deerfield Beach. The Pompano Beach Boat Parade is a special way to get into the holiday spirit - South Florida style! Visit the Pompano Chamber of Commerce website at www.pompanobeachchamber.com/boat_parade.html.

OceanDance, Hollywood Beach, December 30-31: The Art and Culture Center of Hollywood combines the natural beauty of Hollywood Beach with the beauty of artful dance as performers kick up the sand as well as their heels. A vibrant, contemporary visual and performing arts organization, the Art and Culture Center of Hollywood often offers art exhibitions, theatre, music and dance performances. (954) 921-3274 or visit www.artandculturecenter.org.

MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, Office Depot Center, Sunrise, December 31: The lead off event for the mammoth Orange Bowl celebrations. (954) 921-3404.

FedEx Orange Bowl "Patch" Beach Bash, Hollywood Beach, January 2, 2006: An afternoon of fun festivities and top name live musical performances. (954) 921-3404.

FedEx Orange Bowl, Dolphins Stadium, January 3, 2006: The NCAA National Championship will be decided in South Florida at the 71st edition of the FedEx Orange Bowl. Fans are gearing up for what promises to be a classic game as the Orange Bowl hosts college football's most important face-off of the season. Kick-of is at 8:30pm. For ticket package information on the Orange Bowl, visit the FedEx Orange Bowl website at www.orangebowl.org.

Las Olas Art Fair, Las Olas Blvd., January 7-8, 2006: A free outdoor art festival along Fort Lauderdale's trendy main thoroughfare. Some 250 national and international exhibiting artists are expected to participate by showing their latest creations. Lively music and food will round out the weekend event. 954-472-3755 or visit www.artfestival.com.

Third Annual Everglades BirdFest, Everglades National Park, January 17-19, 2006: A three day birding festival when the weather is most favorable and the birds are most abundant in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Events include a naturalist guided bird watching tour at major sites within Everglades National Park; a naturalist guided tram tour of Shark Valley; wine and cheese party; and several lectures including Birdlife & Wildlife of the Everglades, Everglades Habitats, Comparative Ecology and Conservation & Everglades Restoration (CERP). Registration and program fees are $275 per person, $500 per couple. (954) 776-5585 or visit http://birdfest.browardaudubon.org.

CanadaFest, Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, January 28-29: A weekend celebration dedicated entirely to our neighbors to the north, with whom Greater Fort Lauderdale is such a popular tourism destination. CanadaFest features live regional music at the Hollywood Beach Theater and Polk Street Mainstage, multi-ethnic foods, and dozens of artists and other vendors lining Hollywood's famous Broadwalk. 954-924-9705.

Renaissance Festival, Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield Beach, Weekends Feb. 11-Mar. 12, 2006: Travel back several centuries in time at this festival dedicated to the rough and tumble Medieval Ages. Cheer on battling knights as they mount their steeds and charge their jousting opponents. Applaud hundreds of sword fighters, minstrels, and magicians as they mingle through the crowd and perform on one of 12 stages set up throughout the park. Feast on hearty food fit for a king like turkey legs, Scotch eggs, and of course, some royal ale or cider. And browse through the festival's enchanted Crafts Village where over one hundred merchants and artisans demonstrate and sell wares from blown glass to hammered pewter. $20 adults; $6 children under 12. 954-776-1642 or visit www.ren-fest.com/fla1.html