Photos & Story By Rachel Galvin

People lined up along the Intracoastal Waterway to watch the 58th Annual Greater Pompano Boat Parade on Friday, Dec. 11. This year was a salute to first responders and essential workers. Masked bystanders waved and shouted holiday greetings back to the boats as they maneuvered down the Waterway from Lake Santa Barbara to the Hillsboro Bridge.

The parade, presented by CHAOS Fishing, was “headquartered” at Sands Harbor Resort & Marina in Pompano, where the emcee usually announced the boats and where the judging takes place. People could also board The Musette like usual. 

This is  the longest continuously-running Holiday Boat Parade in the nation. The best viewing experience was rumored to be in Sullivan Park, where people were spread out and masked. Registration was required and COVID-19 safety protocols were put in place.

To find out more about the parade and additional sponsors, visit the Greater Pompano chamber website.

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Commissioner Hudak & Drosky were two who lit up the tree at Night of Lights event Dec. 5.

By Rachel Galvin

Yes, it has been pretty cold lately, but do you know that it snowed on Saturday in Deerfield Beach? OK, it wasn’t real snow, but snow nonetheless. The occasion for the wintery weather was Night of Lights, an event that used to be called Ocean Way Holiday and was held on the beach. This year, it was moved to the Sullivan Park parking lot and had a lot of safety measures in place due to COVID-19. The event was for residents only. They had to register online and prove they were residents. Then, they had a temperature check upon arrival.

Seating was within socially-distanced areas differentiated using chalked squares on the ground. The show was filled with costumed characters like Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Goofy (I think it was Goofy), the chipmunks, Elmo, Big Bird and Hello Kitty. It was put on by ZMC Event Productions. The half-hour song and dance number, which culminated with the best performance of the night by Santa and some ballerinas, was re-run four times throughout the night, so that each show only had a limited audience. People were quickly exited after each show to let the next batch come in. 

Besides the family-friendly show, there was Santa in a snow globe to take pictures with, stilt walkers and inflatable characters –including some from Star Wars. Kris Mory, who oversees the CRA, was handing out doughnuts and hot cocoa. Holiday coloring books and candy canes were also given out to children by several staff members. Parks & Recreation Manager II Mary Davis was giving out holiday masks too. And, of course, there was the snow falling. Commissioner Hudak, Drosky and Mayor Ganz were in attendance to light the Christmas tree.

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Historian and author Sally Ling will be featured at December History Hour put on by the Deerfield Beach Historical Society on Dec. 18  at 5:30 p.m. at the Cultural Center on SE 4 Ave. right across the street from The Butler House. There is limited seating. R.S.V.P. requested. Call Judi Stanich ar 954-461-1152. OR you can watch from home via facebook Live on their Facebook page! Sally will be talking about Deerfield with a focus on the Percy White Library.

If you are a senior citizen in Deerfield and need legal advice, you are in luck. The Center for Active Aging has partnered with Coast to Coast Legal Aid South Florida to host a special event called Mobile Justice Squad on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 227 NW Eller St, Deerfield Beach.

Photo provided by Avis Swenson

The Rotary Club of Deerfield Beach is giving a $500 donation this holiday again to Gateway Community Outreach (pictured below) and Center for Active Aging.

In addition, they just announced their board members for 2021-2022. There was no election necessary as no other nominations came in.

2021-2022 New Board Members

President  John Grimstad

President Elect and Past President  Marcos Liberato

Secretary  Val Hackett

Treasurer   Donna Kirk

Board members: John Patterson, Enrique Palacios and Avis Swenson

Rotarians Avis Swenson & Val Hackett (right) present check to Gateway Community Outreach.

The City of Deerfield Beach welcomes the man from the North Pole on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It seems that Santa is looking forward to the warmer weather and will even be taking a dip. He is inviting people to come take an underwater photo with him again this year. This interesting event will be held, as usual, at the Aquatic Center, at 501 SE 6 Ave. Registration is $2 per household and includes a digital photo that will be sent upon the conculsion of the event. Registration will be taken the day of.