Wow...can you believe it's almost time for the annual Ft. Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade?  Where did 2008 go?  The website shows that event planners have picked a 'Grand Marshal' for the parade.  This year it's going to be actor/comedian Jim Belushi and the parade will be on Saturday, December 13th, 2008.

Start planning now if you think you want to take in the parade this year.  Restaurants along the route fill up FAST.  There are all sorts of places to park around the area too and those fill up quite fast. 

There are grandstand viewing areas that do cost money to enter, but Publix will be offering $5 off coupons in the near future.  Grandstand area will be open at 3 PM with family activities to keep everyone busy.  The main parking area for grandstand seating is at the Galleria Mall.  Tickets cost $20 for an adult, $18 for groups of 20 or more, $15 for children 10 and under.  They also have a promotion where you get a free upper level ticket to a January home game for the Florida Panthers.  That's a pretty good cross promotion.

Remember that there are a lot of places to view the parade all up and down the route.  You don't have to buy the grandstand tickets.  Maybe it's time to call that distant friend that lives off of the intercoastal huh?