🚤📻 2026 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is Saturday, December 12, 2026
🇺🇸✨ This Year’s Theme: “Party in the USA!” ✨🇺🇸
It’s almost time for one of South Florida’s most spectacular holiday traditions — the Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade — and we need YOUR help to make it another outstanding success!
Each year, amateur radio operators play an important role in supporting this incredible event. Our dedicated ham radio volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of Winterfest, providing vital communications support and situational awareness along the 12-mile parade route.
From monitoring activities along the waterways to relaying important information to the Winterfest communications team, our operators help keep everyone informed throughout the evening.
This is amateur radio at its best — putting our communications skills, training, and spirit of volunteerism to work in support of our community!
** 📅 IMPORTANT VOLUNTEER DATES
🔧 MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 – ANTENNA INSTALLATION
Before the boats light up the waterways, we need volunteers to help install antennas and prepare our communications equipment for parade day.
Whether you’re an experienced antenna installer or simply willing to lend a hand, your assistance will be greatly appreciated. Many hands make light work!
🍽️ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9 – TRAINING DINNER & CREDENTIALING
All amateur radio operators working the parade are required to attend our training dinner and credentialing session.
We’ll review communications procedures, operational assignments, and important information to help ensure a smooth and successful event.
It’s also a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with fellow operators and welcome new volunteers to the Winterfest communications team!
🎄🚤 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 – PARADE DAY!
IT’S SHOWTIME!
Our amateur radio operators will be positioned at strategic locations along the 12-mile parade route, serving as the eyes and ears of Winterfest.
As the beautifully decorated boats make their way along the waterways, our volunteers will provide communications support, relay observations, and help the Winterfest team maintain situational awareness throughout this spectacular event.
🎉 2027 – VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION PARTY!
Date to be announced
And the fun doesn’t end when the last boat passes!
Winterfest will host its fabulous volunteer appreciation party in 2027 to celebrate and thank the dedicated volunteers who help make the parade possible.
It’s a wonderful way to recognize the hard work, commitment, and community spirit of everyone involved!
** 📣 WE NEED YOU!
Whether you’ve been volunteering with Winterfest for decades or this would be your very first parade, we would love to welcome you to our amateur radio communications team!
This is a fantastic opportunity to put your amateur radio skills to work, gain valuable experience supporting a major community event, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow operators, and be part of one of South Florida’s most beloved holiday traditions.
Your time, talents, and willingness to serve make a difference!
** 📧 INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Please email Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB, at KJ4AWB@arrl.net (mailto:KJ4AWB@arrl.net) and include the following information:
- Full name
- Amateur radio call sign
- Cell phone number
- Preferred email address
- Mailing address (snail mail!)
Please also let us know if you’re available to help with antenna installation on Monday, December 7.
To our returning volunteers — THANK YOU! Your continued dedication and support are what make our communications operation so successful year after year.
To our first-time volunteers — WELCOME! We look forward to having you join our Winterfest family!
📻🚤🎄 Let’s make the 2026 Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade another spectacular success!
73,
Carol Sjursen, KJ4AWB
Winterfest Boat Parade Communications Co-Chair
