December 23, 2005
December 23, 2005
The Jewel of the Nile makes its way north along the Intracoastal waterway before
crossing under the 17th Street Causeway Bridge during the 34th annual
Seminole
Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade.
»
Tradition
continues at 34th annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade
Old
meets new as Fort Lauderdale tradition continues
By Elizabeth Baier / www.sunsentinel.com Staff Writer
Sonia Tamoliunas and Abbey Phillips stood along the walkway of the 17th Street Causeway bridge and marveled when they saw the massive, 170-foot Lady Windridge yacht glide north along the Intracoastal Waterway leading the 34th annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade on Saturday night. The reflection of shimmering blue and gold streamers, several lighted pyramids, a massive cobra and a Tut head aboard the vessel lit up the river, which was lined with thousands of spectators who came out to see the event that makes the holiday season official for many South Floridians, including Tamoliunas and Phillips. "This is so gorgeous," said Tamoliunas, 43, of Davie, to Phillips, 74, of Hollywood, who she had met a couple hours before the parade. "Isn't this amazingly beautiful?" Looking at a smaller boat, Phillips responded: "Oh, look at that beautiful tree. I've been seeing this [parade] since it started, and this is great."
A
boat sponsored by the Miami Heat was part of the Winterfest Boat Parade.
The theme of the annual boat parade -- "Jewel of the Nile" --
corresponded with the opening of the exhibit "Tutankhamun and the Golden
Age of the Pharaohs" at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday.
In addition to the official judging, spectators were able to vote for their
favorite vessel in the People's Choice Award for the first time in the parade's
history. Viewers have until Jan. 6 to cast their vote, via the parade's Web site
(www.winterfestparade.com) or by sending a text message, including the boat
number, to 2360, after the parade airs on WSVN-Channel 7 on Dec. 22 and 31,
according to parade spokeswoman Kathy Keleher. Our Miss Florida USA Cristin
Duren was aboard The Southern Wine & Spirits Entry while Miss Florida Teen
USA Jennifer Wooten was on the lively Sun Sentinel parade entry.
Many boats wore a King Tut theme in honor of the exhibit
currently on display at the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art.
Keeping to the theme, many of the almost 100 vessels, from small canoes to mega
yachts, on Saturday were decorated with pharaohs, hieroglyphic columns and
sphinxes and began the 10-mile parade north from Port Everglades to just south
of Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach. Many boat owners played The Bangles' Walk
Like an Egyptian, while others used seasonal decorations and songs of Santa
and reindeer. Tamoliunas and Phillips consider themselves boat parade
aficionados -- Phillips has attended the Fort Lauderdale winter tradition since
it started in 1971 and Tamoliunas since 1990. Both agreed that Saturday night's
event was an entertaining combination of old meets new. From Lady Windridge,
D4L's popular hip-hop song Laffy Taffy echoed from giant speakers.
Tamoliunas danced along as Phillips waved to record producer Randy Jackson, a
judge on American Idol and the grand marshal of the boat parade.
Spectators
watch from seats under the 17th Street Causeway Bridge in Fort Lauderdale.
"The city was completely different [in 1990]," Tamoliunas said.
"The boats were just decorated with lights and there used to be bands
playing on them back then. But that used to be the old days. They didn't have
plasma TVs on them. This is great."
WINTERFEST THUMBNAIL GALLERY
»
Miss Universe: Heart Belongs To BusinessAssociated Press
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Miss Universe says she would like to act in a movie, but her heart is in the world of business. The Russian-born Natalie Glebova, a model and motivational speaker from Toronto, was in the Dominican Republic on Sunday to crown "Miss Dominican Republic 2006." "Inside of me, there is something that draws me toward business all the time, and I will try to follow that path in my future," Glebova told reporters Friday after her arrival. Glebova also planned to attend a dinner to benefit orphans with AIDS. She has previously said that she would use her title to raise awareness and money to battle the disease.
»
The Holidays with Miss Daytona Beach Teen USABy Kim Decker; Miss Daytona Beach USA Director
The
past week has been a busy one here in Volusia County. Let’s take a recap.
The first appearance for Erin on Saturday was the 46th annual Holly Hill Christmas Parade. Due to holiday conflicts 2nd Runner-up to Miss Daytona Beach USA, Miranda Weber was representing Miss Daytona Beach USA in the Christmas Parades. We had to be in position two hours before the parade started in order to have our entries judged. And the results? Miss Daytona Beach Teen USA's decorated Jaguar tied for third place with the Miss Daytona Beach USA decorated Lexus!
After a quick lunch, it was off to Deland for the next appearance. There must have been 50,000 people, all lined down the streets of Downtown Deland to celebrate the 57th Annual Christmas Parade.
We had a very special surprise for Erin and Miranda; we arranged for Santa Claus to give them their Christmas gifts early! While we were waiting for the parade to start, Erin and Miranda paid a visit to Santa for what they thought was a quick photo. Instead, they were asked to climb up on the float and into Santa's sleigh. Once they were seated next to Santa, he gave each of them their Christmas presents and the girls were all smiles and giggles.
The last appearance for this very busy weekend was held in Port Orange. The girls are now "parade pro's!" We even had enough time to take some adorable photos with some very eager pageant fans! Erin and Miranda then meet with the Power Cheerleaders; Erin use to be a Power Cheerleader and the cheerleaders were thrilled to see her! We are also very thrilled to wish everyone a happy holiday season from your friends in Volusia County and Miss Daytona Beach USA!
Kudos
to our Miss Florida USA Cristin Duren who had a great dedication
article on one of our favorite websites “Pageant News Bureau” or
“PNB” as photographer Paul Fong’s work is featured in this look at Ms.
Duren during her pageant years. The link is http://www.pageant.com/cristinduren2/
for you web surfers. Nice pictures Paul!
» Pageant News Wanted!
Are you a titleholder or at large delegate who is making appearances or doing good things in the community? We would love to tell all of the Miss Florida USA Family your story. Send pictures and updates to telair@aol.com as we feature everything Miss Florida USA on Friday’s at Faces & Places.
»
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!
» Holiday Greetings from our Miss Florida USA family:
PICTURE OF THE WEEK!
we thought this holiday greeting from our Pageant troika would set the perfect tone for our
picture of the week. Here's to a safe and wonderful holiday from all of the writers and editors
that make up our Ezine staff. Enjoy!
A
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