The Hollywood, Florida Candy Cane Parade was started in the 1950's by local merchants to attract…read moreshoppers to the beach. Today it is one of the longest running holiday parades in the country. Last night was the 69th annual Candy Came Parade with the theme Journey Through the Decades to align with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the city. The parade starts at 7 PM at Missouri Street and heads south to Harrison Street along the broadwalk. Candy is liberally handed out throughout the parade rather than tossed to prevent litter. The Candy Cane Parade features floats, cars, school groups, bands, civic groups, and of course Santa. In true Florida fashion he ended the parade by riding down the route on a boat. The Candy Cane Parade is a beloved holiday tradition and draws large crowds every year. Come early and plan on parking in one of the parking garages. There is also limited metered street parking if you luck out.

If you are looking for something festive to do in Coconut Creek during the holiday season, this…read morelight show has been delighting the community for decades. Trade winds Park, Holiday Fantasy of Lights began in 1993 with a 1.2 mile route through the park highlighting 26 light displays. This year marks the 31st year of this event. I have attended it throughout the years, especially during my daughter's childhood but it has been a few years since I have gone. I do always enjoy seeing several of the light displays from Florida's Turnpike as I head south through Coconut Creek. The annual walk through event brought me back this year. On Friday night with a presale ticket you could walk the 3.4 mile loop through the light displays. While Friday was reserved for the walkers, Saturday and Sunday are for bike riders. The rest of the season it will only be open to cars. Tickets were $15 per adult and when you placed your order you could also donate to several worthy local charities. The night of the event there were food trucks and drink vendors. We started the route from the Butterfly World side of the park and headed underneath the Turnpike. From there the light displays started and they were really nice. In addition to traditional Christmas displays there were also fairytales, butterflies, trains, animals, and dinosaurs. They were all different sizes and some even had movement. It was nice to see so many couples and families out enjoying the event and posing for pictures. The walk is easy and the weather was spectacular. My favorite displays were the lighted tunnels, gingerbread house, candy cane lane, and reindeer farm. The event has definitely added more lights since the last time I was here with a mix of the new LED lights along with old favorites like the pink teddy bear, Walking allows you the time to really enjoy each display while the car is a good choice for less ambulatory people. The light show would be especially nice in a convertible. While not as high tech as some other holiday light displays, its strength is its charm. This was a great kick off to the holiday season and I enjoyed revisiting an old favorite.

Nice lights to look at, fun holiday activity. Not all of the lights were holiday related, but could…read morebe cool for kids. Love that they allow pets to come (although you stay inside of your car, so I would be surprised if they weren't allowed). Staff was very friendly and super easy to get in/pay.

Last Saturday my daughter and I went to the amazing 5K 10 K Walk/Run from the people of Flipany and…read morewe had a great time!!! You can sign in online and pick up the registration package a day before but because we live in Miami and not Broward what we did was check on the same day and we got everything right there. The entrance was free and I loved the idea of not paying for parking!! The people volunteering and working at this event were awesome and so helpful. This was my second Flipany event and once again they did a wonderful job. We enjoyed so much the walk looking at the beach and then the path took us to a green walkway that we loved too. We all got medals, goodies, delicious food, and entertainment. Little did we know that my daughter will end up winning the second place in her division, how cool!!! and another medal for her See you next year for sure!!

This was the busiest out of all of the holiday decorated houses I have visited so far. Traffic was…read moreclogged on the narrow street so pack your patience. I recommend driving past the display to where the road curves. There is a swale separating the neighborhood from the outside street and there was plenty of parking here. From there it is a short walk back to the display. The Gary and Penny Grazianis display is massive. It covers the front of their house and reaches down the street into their backyard which is open. Even the neighbors are into the fun with the house next door having an Encanto theme. The main focus of the display is custom made Disney characters. The have all the princesses along with Micky, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck. They even had Ariel set up in her own mermaid grotto. Joining the Disney gang are the Grinch, Precious Moments, Thomas the Tank, Teenage Ninja Turtles, Smurfs, Minions, and Sponge Bob Square Bobs along with lights, other display pieces, and animatronics. A highlight of the display was a Frozen themed photo opportunity that everyone loved. It has the new white LED holographic holiday decorations that recently caught my eye at the Fuccile home in Dania Beach. This display is not as high tech as the ones that have synchronize lights to music but it definitely has its charm if you don't mind the crowd. If you are a Disney fan, this a must stop on the holiday house tour.

Visiting the Grazianis has been a Christmas tradition for our family for over 20 years. The amount…read moreof work that goes into their Disney Christmas themes is remarkable. There's a beautiful story behind all of it. Thank you for bringing my family and so many other families such happiness visiting your beautiful Christmas house.

I just returned from the Wilton Manors Wine and Food Festival. I bought my tickets on the Internet…read morefrom Gotta Half It, a site similar to Groupon and Living Social. Apparently Living Social and Amazon were also selling half price tickets. I enjoyed this event, but it could have been better. So here's my list of what worked for me and what needed improvement. THE GOOD 1. The money raised by this event went to a charity that rescues dogs that are dumped in the Everglades. It's such a good cause and one that is close to my heart. 2. There were several sites on the Internet offering half price tickets, both VIP and regular. Compared to many other local wine and food festivals the prices were reasonable. 3. There was plenty of places to sit. At a lot of wine and food festivals there are very few seats and it's difficult to hold a plate of food and a glass of wine, while trying to eat. 4. The entertainment was good. I enjoyed the music and they even had a girl doing the hula. 5. They had lots of wine and a few other drinks. THE BAD 1. I had a VIP ticket, which allowed me to come in an hour early. When I went in at 5:00 pm a lot of the tables were not set up yet. 2. I didn't see many of the restaurants that were listed on the events web page. I don't know if I missed them or if they didn't come. I think they didn't come. 3. The VIP ticket was supposed to give access to a separate VIP area. I found that area, but it wasn't set up when I got there a 5 pm. Both Asia Bay and Solita were supposed to be serving food in the VIP area. I didn't see Solita, The only food in the VIP area was sushi. They were also supposed to have gourmet desserts. There were NO desserts, gourmet or otherwise. 4. The event was from 6 pm to 10 pm.. People with VIP tickets were allowed in an hour early, I noticed that a few food tables ran out of food by 7 pm and it was pretty much over by 8 pm. Not very good if you didn't buy a VIP ticket. It sucks to pay for a ticket only to find that they've run out of food. 5. This is a pet peeve of mine. When rain is predicted, have a plan for what to do to keep the event going. At about 8 pm the sky opened and the rain came down. There were a few places for people to huddle. Most of food and wine tables that had not already run out of food or drinks closed up. If it had rained earlier, the event probably would have been over before it started. This was not free. I paid for my ticket and I expect to get what I paid for. If rain is predicted and the event is outside have tents ready if you can't move it inside. If it's an all day rain schedule a rain date. I enjoyed going, but there really wasn't that much food. If I can find out what restaurants didn't show up I'll post it here.

I both worked and attended the Wilton Manors Wine and Food Festival event. Our team was brought in…read moreto rescue them (long story). Eucalyptus left us with everything to fix within 9 days. And I was that guy running all over the line to get everyone's email for future events. Addressing some complaints from Diane's review: The desserts DID arrive - but were set up late, about 9 pm outside the larger building. -- We had 47 vendors make it - (with 20 no shows, how could we control that?) -- I got to enjoy the event after 8 pm... had about 7 glasses of wine, 6 whiskey and 4 vodka shots.. and could have had more if I wanted. I enjoyed more food than I would get at any one price gourmet buffet - Yes, some vendors ran out of food too early. Considering the event was filled with nice people (no fights) and there were 2 bands, I would say that $ 75-two-for-one was a superb deal. Plus, our team did NOT make a penny on the takeover. We are doing our OWN event in 2015 on Valentine's Day (Sat the 14th) at Jaco Pastorious Park, which is 2 miles from Wilton Manors. Tickets will be two for one ( $ 75) on OUR web site... and $ 85 two for one at Living Social and other assisting ticket vendors. This event won't repeat the same mistakes.. and runs from 3 pm to 10: 30 pm (Parking is planned, admission gates are alphabetically split up to move everyone faster.) The band we arranged is the New Planets (one of the best cover bands in Florida) For more info, just Google it (adding links in a Yelp review is uncool) Jeff Miller and Robert Kaplan, Event Coordinators

This is my favorite time of the year. The water park is closed for the people and open for us dogs…read more There is three different pools to choose from. A smaller very shallow pool that my smaller friends can play in without haging to worry about the bigger dogs giving them a hard time. There is another pool a little bit bigger with a water play ground in the middle of it. Unfortunately they block off that part of the pool so I can't go down the slides. What a bummer for me and my more adventurous friends. There is also a great big walk in pool, that's the one I like. Lots of room for me to run in and chase a ball or just go for a swim. When my daddy takes me they normally yummy treats at the concession stand, for me and him. Even though they have frosty paws, my favorite frozen treat her usually will get me a hot dog. This year they only did two week ends here and one at Quiet Waters park. Since the water park is closed from October to March. I think thy should more week end for me and my friends. XXXOOO Lola

Castaway Island at T.Y. Park in Hollywood will have events on two weekends: October 1 and 2, and…read moreOctober 15 and 16. Admission is $5 per dog per 50-minute session (plus applicable Florida sales tax), with sessions beginning on the hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a designated area for dogs weighing 25 pounds or less for all sessions. Donations of dog and cat food, treats, blankets, and toys will be accepted on behalf of the homeless animals at Broward County shelters. A few rules apply: All dogs must be off leash when inside the facility and must be sociable and well behaved. Proof of current rabies vaccination and County license tag are required. Other than lifeguards, no humans will be allowed inside the water playgrounds. Finally, dogs are limited to no more than two sessions per day, and dogs must be at least 4 months of age to participate. For more information, call T.Y. at 954-357-8811. The park's regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect for these events.

I always like to support local. I love historical things. It took me a while to visit here…read more However, I saw an advertisement for an EARTH DAY event, so I popped in. For some reason it was mid week, therefore it was not busy at all. Had it been a weekend event I am sure it would have been a real hit. A real shame as you could tell a lot of effort had been made, yet hardly any visitors.

November is Native American heritage month which makes it the perfect time to learn about Florida's…read moreNative People. The Seminoles were the only Native American tribe never to sign a peace treaty with the US government. They come from a small band of around 200 people led by Sam Jones who helped them to hide out in the Everglades to avoid capture by the US government in the early 1800's to a Hard Rock empire with more than 500 million dollars a year in gambling profits from their casinos today. Located in Hollywood near the Hard Rock Hotel on the Seminole Reservation is the Seminole Okalee Indian Village Museum. Created in 1960, it was where the Seminole used to have a village where they would have education, alligator wrestling and animal displays. Today the main museum, Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki is located in Big Cypress Preserve in Clewiston. The Seminole Okalee Indian Village and Museum reopened in 2005 and serves as a branch of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki to preserve the culture and heritage of the Seminole people. The small museum has displays containing clothing, tools, and animals. They also have chickee huts, festival grounds, and a small event stadium. In honor of November Native Heritage Month the museum was hosting a Pow Wow and marketplace. To quote the Seminoles "Thank you to the creator for making such a beautiful day for all of us to share in the Seminole people's heritage."

This was the fifth year of the Delray Beach Concours d' Elegance, a prestigious car show held at…read moreOld School Square in Delray Beach. A concours d' elegance is an exhibition and judged competition of classic, rare, and luxury automobiles. The tradition dates back to 17th-century France, where it began as a parade of horse-drawn carriages. It has since evolved into a festival of automotive craftsmanship. The vehicles that were displayed were evaluated by experts on their appearance, authenticity, and presentation. They have been restored or preserved as closely as possible to their original factory condition. The cars were arranged into categories such as Brass Era, Rolls-Royce Elegance, BMW Classic, Italian Icons, Hypercar, and American Classic. Although the cars were the highlight the event also featured local vendors offering food, drinks, and retail items, along with live music that added to the festive atmosphere. Admission for spectators was free, and I was even able to find free parking in a city lot a few blocks away. One of my favorite sections was the Brass Era display, where the oldest vehicle I saw was a 1899 Mors-Gardon. I also enjoyed exploring the Porsches and learning more about hypercars. Proceeds from the event supported several local charities in Delray Beach, including the Achievement Center for Children & Families, Delray Firefighters Benevolent, Delray Citizens for Delray Police, and the Community Classroom Project and Kitchen.