[SFDXA] Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade

[Bill]

50,000 PARADES IN THE U.S. WINTERFEST RANKED AMONG TOP 20, which 
includes Macy's MardiGras, Rose Bowl, Disney.  Among TOP EVENTS, 
Winterfest was just listed by Readers Digest as one of "100 Best in 
America".  Not only is this the largest one-day, live audience of any 
event in Florida, but also the seventh largest one-day spectator event 
in the country!

1,000,000+ spectators; 80,000,000 watch it on TV around the world.

100+ Boats, decked out in over-the-top Holiday Decor, spend their day 
lining up along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, huge, loud 
parties on board...

Just after sunset, one by one, in line, they begin their annual 12 mile 
celebration sojourn, chugging up the sometimes narrow Intracoastal 
Waterway, navigating numerous bridges, and each other, to their 
traditional destination at Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach.

Anything could happen along the way...indeed.  The stories are legendary...

Radio operators, stationed on bridges and other strategic positions, 
observe, monitor, and report progress of each boat until the final boat 
has completed their voyage.

If / when something goes awry, hams help humanity deal with it, relaying 
important information to Net Control where it is immediately shared with 
appropriate authorities / responders.

This is a biggie...and radio is potentially the most important piece...

December 14th  is  the  annual Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade. 
We seek radio volunteers to *_please_* help insure the success of 
Winterfest, while enjoying 'front row seats' from key vantage points 
along the route.  One Amateur Radio operator will be stationed on each 
side of the 7 bridges  and  other  positions  along the  Parade  route.

Contact:
Robin Terrill N4HHP
Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade
Communication Chairperson

954 249-5343 <tel:954%20249-5343>
<mailto:n4hhp at comcast.net <mailto:n4hhp at comcast.net>> n4hhp at comcast.net 
<mailto:n4hhp at comcast.net>

>From Robin:  "
Also if you  or  a friend who owns a boat and wants to be a security boat
operator for a better front row seat on the Parade route, then contact me
too.

In  December ,  there will be a  CONTROL BOAT/HAM RADIO dinner meeting for
our volunteers and after the Parade, (date to be announced) we will have a
super volunteer party.

All you need is a handheld with PL capability. An extra fully charged spare
battery, a headset and the desire to  have  fun.   You will have a front row
seat to the parade since all the parade boats (all 100 of them) will pass
right through your Bridge.

For all bridge positions, you can bring one friend, wife OR husband to keep
you company.

PLEASE PASS THIS MEMO ON TO OTHER AMATEURS AND OTHER RADIO CLUBS.

Please send me an email at <mailto:n4hhp at comcast.net 
<mailto:n4hhp at comcast.net>> n4hhp at comcast.net <mailto:n4hhp at comcast.net> to
work this year's parade. Amateurs who have worked this Parade Last year,
get to work their same location as last year, need to contact me by the 9th
of December or your position will be given away. If you worked the Parade
last year, please state what your position was.  Also, the amateurs who took
pictures last year, please indicate if you will take pictures again this
year,

I will need the following information your email from everyone.  Your name,
home address, callsign and your cellphone number, and I will contact you by
phone to confirm your position.

If you are a new ham and do not feel right in participating in the
communications event alone, then call me and I will place you with a
seasoned amateur.

Note:  If you already have a position, please disregard this email.  Also,
if you have a ham friend that wants to work with you, PLEASE tell them to
contact
Robin Terrill N4HHP
  ASAP.

Robin Terrill N4HHP
Fort Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade
Communication Chairperson
954 249-5343 <tel:954%20249-5343>
n4hhp at comcast.net <mailto:n4hhp at comcast.net>
"