Miss Florida Teen USA Leads The Candy Cane Parade

Our Miss Florida Teen USA 2005 Victoria Ratliff was one of the stars on the lead float of the traditional holiday “Candy Cane Parade” this past Saturday. On the lead float with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Member Dion (Wanderer; Run Around Sue) Victoria greeted the crowd of over 50,000 on the Broadwalk on Hollywood Beach. “It was so much fun seeing the smiles on the children’s faces!” exclaimed our Miss Florida USA as she was helped off of the float after the parade.

On board The Grand Marshall Float themed as a Hollywood Diner

featuring Dion and The Mayor of Hollywood Mara Giulianti.

Afterwards it was off to Las Brisas Restaurant on Hollywood Beach for an after parade party hosted by City of Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulianti and Hollywood Commissioner Fran Russo as well as City Manager and former judge Cameron Benson. Victoria and Dion were the guests of honor for the “wrap” party! We are pleased to report that while in South Florida Victoria received her first taste of “flan” a local desert favorite. Reviews were still out as of this writing! Enjoy the pictures!

Miss Hollywood USA and Miss Hollywood Teen USA

were with The Hollywood Jaycees Float.

Post Parade with Hollywood Mayor Mara Giulanti

and Hollywood Commissioner Fran Russo with their bobbysox best!

(click on the thumbnails to enlarge)

The Winterfest Boat Parade VIP Party

Thursday night it was time to meet the best of Broward County for both Miss Florida USA 2005 Melissa Witek and Miss Florida Teen USA Victoria Ratliff as the VIP Reception kicked off Winterfest Boat Parade weekend. It was a double treat as it was also opening night of The Seminole Hard Rock Casino near Hollywood. What a great event it was as all around there was excitement!

Our queens with and Lisa Scott,

executive director of the Winterfest Boat Parade

One of the highlights was being introduced to legendary rock stars The Golden Boys of Bandstand. Co-Grand Marshal’s of the parade are Frankie Avalon, Fabian & Lou Christie for Saturday night’s event. Of course camera’s were all around as Melissa also shot some on-camera stand-ups for next weeks broadcast. Over 850,000 people will see the parade on Broward’s inter-coastal waterway.

Melissa and Victoria with Frankie Avalon, Fabian & Lou Christie

Victoria with Rock & Roll Legend Dion

after The Candy Cane Parade.

The Winterfest Boat Parade is the world’s largest holiday boat parade that follows the Inter Coastal Waterways of Ft. Lauderdale and Broward County. The parade takes place this Saturday Night (12/18) and will be shown on WSVN-Fox Miami starting Christmas Day. Look for a full report and tons of pictures on next week’s Faces & Places column.

Kudos & Did You Knows:

Palm Beach County delegate

Amber before the walk.

Congratulations to the contestants of the Miss Palm Beach USA Pageant as they participated in the Walk for the Cure in West Palm Beach. They raised over $500.00 this weekend and overall this year, the Palm Beach County USA Pageant Contestants have raised over $1000.00 for the American Cancer Society Walk for the Cure. Keep up the good work!!! Also congratulations to our Miss Tallahassee Teen USA 2006 Alyx Reynolds who is a leading weightlifter for Bay High School.

Go Alyx!

Palm Beach delegate Liza walking the course for cancer.

Our Titleholders Work with Don Baker

It wasn’t all play this week for our two Miss Florida’s, it was time to get down to business with Interview Expert Don Baker as nationals is not the far away! Yes it was Interview 101 for Florida’s finest as you know we are always the most prepared state in the system. Enjoy the pictures of our ladies working diligently.

This Weekend on The Pageant Calendar:

Wow it will be an entire month until our next pageant! That right it’s January 15^th until Miss Polk County USA as we enjoy the holidays and await a visit from Santa Clause!

Alumni News Wanted!

If you know of any Miss Florida USA alumni in the news please drop us an email to feature them in future articles. Email all info to info@missfloridausa.com! Until next week here to good pageantry!

December 17, 2004

Miss Florida Teen USA Leads The Candy Cane Parade

The Winterfest Boat Parade VIP Party

Alumni News Wanted!