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Author Jodi Tanner – Vice President Las Olas Association | Las Olas Boulevard & Isles Magazine
Got an egg? Maybe some bacon? Add a sidewalk and we can cook breakfast…!
Yes, it’s HOT on the boulevard, but people are finding ways to keep cool during the summer months. During the day, visitors and locals alike are enjoying indoor dining and shopping and the boulevard is staying busy.
The good news is that the night air seems to be cooling off a bit and we’re seeing more people starting to trickle outside to indulge in and enjoy the ever-popular al fresco dining on the sidewalks of Las Olas Boulevard. On top of that, many of our restaurants still offer amazing summer breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks specials and shoppers can still find great summer bargains at many of our local merchants.
In other summer news…HoHoHo! Did you see Santa on the Boulevard? Yes, indeed! The Winterfest Boat Parade team made sure the Big Man was here on Saturday, July 22nd to help us celebrate Christmas in July on Las Olas! He started his day with a festive golf cart & Moke parade which traveled up and down Las Olas with Christmas tunes and horns blaring, and his Elves happily spreading Christmas cheer.
Santa made numerous stops at Las Olas shops to take photos with kids and adults alike who were absolutely delighted to see him. There were Santa mailboxes where the kids could deposit their letters to Santa and Christmas wish lists while receiving treats from the Riverside Hotel, Robinson’s Jewelers, Kilwins and Carroll’s Jewelers, just to name a few. Following the parade, Santa and crew headed to the Riverside Hotel lobby (by the fireplace, of course) to take even more Christmas photos with kids and families.
Next, just before the families boarded the fun-filled Christmas Cruise on the Water Taxi, everyone was invited to attend the Junior baking competition at the newly-opened New River Café and Bakery at Laura Ward Park. There were tons of yummy treats and Santa definitely got his fill of cookies!
After the beautiful cruise, it was on to the next fun-filled part of the day during Christmas in July on Las Olas where it was all about Jingle Bells and Naughty Elves for the 21 and over crowd. The elves showed up at the Christmas-decorated Historic Stranahan House in full elf regalia. The Water Taxi was festive and filled with VIPs for the Adult cruise with Captain Elf at the helm and his Elf Mates in tow. Christmas cheer was provided by Tito’s and the fun carried on.
After the Christmas cruise, Las Olas was filled with Santa’s Elves (naughty & nice!) who strolled down the boulevard to numerous venues hosting little Christmas parties, from American Social to B-Square. There were festive Christmas cocktails and snacks everywhere you went. And yes, it turns out that you can be both nice and naughty at the same time!
Great fun was had by all at Christmas in July on Las Olas and we look forward to celebrating the upcoming holiday season, as well. It’s not far off, so start planning now for your family events, office parties, gallery visits and shopping trips on our beautiful Las Olas Boulevard.
And speaking of events planning, here are a few key events you’ll definitely want to plan ahead for:
The Las Olas Art Fair Saturday & Sunday, October 14th and 15th
The 61st Annual Christmas on Las Olas Tuesday, November 28th
Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade Saturday, December 16th
And, of course, you’ll find many more events you won’t want to miss in the following pages of our annual Season Preview issue of LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES Magazine.
Welcome back from summer everyone and we look forward to seeing your smiling faces on the boulevard. Las Olas Loves You!
Jodi Tanner Vice President, Las Olas Association
Photos by Tom Serio Courtesy of Winterfest
Article from LAS OLAS BOULEVARD & ISLES MAGAZINE is the official bimonthly publication of the Las Olas Association providing our local homeowners, residents, businesses and professionals in the Las Olas Boulevard corridor with relevant local news, civic updates and events information specifically and exclusively focused on our own Las Olas Boulevard, Isles and surrounding area.
Las Olas Boulevard & Isles Magazine is published by Fort Lauderdale Media Associates, Inc 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Ste. 130-599, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 www.ftlauderdalemedia.com | publisher@ftlauderdalemedia.com