PM360 December 2009

DESTINATIONS

A Trio of Holiday Traditions

This time of year is all about traditions—and the wonderful moments and happy memories they provide. The cherished activity may be decorating the tree, lighting the menorah, watching your kids open presents, or just sipping hot cocoa around the fireplace. Just as each family has its own holiday rituals, so does each city. Experience new traditions this year by seeing how these three popular destinations put on their holiday best.

Fort Lauderdale
A hundred boats decked out with lights, music, celebrities, and yes—Santa Claus—celebrate entertainment from every era in the 38th Annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. On December 12 at 6 p.m., boats decorated to match this year’s “That’s Entertainment” theme will parade in front of one million spectators cheering along the 12-mile route. This maritime spectacle starts on the New River, travels along the Intracoastal Waterway, and ends at Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach. Bedecked boats include the Grand Marshal Showboat featuring co-grand marshals Alonzo Mourning and Kim Kardashian, WSVN Animation Domination Showboat with the Simpsons and Family Guy, the Seminole Tribe Comicbook Heroes Extravaganza, Advanced Green Technologies Santa Showboat, Coca-Cola and Publix’s Fireworks Sensation Barge, and the Clydey Foundation Cirque Floating Finale. The Winterfest Boat Parade is the largest one-day spectator event in Florida and was named the world’s 20th Top Parade by the International Festival and Events Association. Spectators can view the boat parade for free from public areas or purchase a $21 grandstand ticket. (For more info visit www.winterfestparade.com)

San Antonio
The holidays can occasionally be hectic and stressful, so if you’d like a more serene experience, visit the San Antonio River Walk. This unusual urban sanctuary has a European feel with restaurants, galleries, shops, and patios lining the banks of the downtown River Walk. The area’s quaint pathways provide views of the beautiful landscape and waterfalls. On weekends from December 4 to 20, the Ford Fiesta de las Luminarias, a tradition dating to the 1500s, casts its special glow. At dusk, the walkways are lined with more than 6,000 luminarias, warmly luminous candles in sand-filled bags, to symbolically “light the way” for the Holy Family. The lights’ reflection and the traditional stone and mortar buildings along the River Walk will transport you body and soul to an unforgettable and peaceful place. (For more info, visit www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com)

Boston
Celebrate the New Year with a spectacular festival sure to satisfy your creative side at First Night 2010, Boston’s 38th annual celebration of the city’s arts and community. From noon to midnight on New Year’s Eve, you can visit any of over 200 events in more than 30 locations spanning the city, as long as you’re wearing your 2010 First Night Button ($18). The Fedex Family Festival includes the circus and fine-arts entertainment troupe known as A Different Spin and BJ Hickman’s audience participation comedy show. Ice sculptures recreate Renaissance works by Botticelli and Michelangelo, among other subjects. Concerts for rock and classical fans, puppet shows, film festivals, and poetry slams are scheduled throughout the day. When midnight comes around, you can ring in the New Year with Black Taxi performing in Copley Square, Fatal Flaw performing on the Boston Common, or with fireworks at Boston Harbor. (For more info visit www.firstnight.org) —Andrew Matthius