Even with a reputation for nightlife and gourmet dining, one of Fort Lauderdale's most popular events is still the annual Christmas on Las Olas, plans for which are already well under way.
About 50,000 people — if last year is any gauge — will turn up to stroll the four blocks to listen to choirs, snack at the food stalls, take children to see Santa, shop, or even look at the snow.
"It's the snow that does it," said Milton Wolfe, co-owner of Objets d'Art, 813 E. Las Olas Blvd.
Wolfe and his wife, Brigitte, will take part in this year's Christmas on Las Olas event on Dec. 2, when the city closes off Southeast Sixth Avenue to Southeast 10th Avenue.
"A lot of these kids have never seen snow," Wolfe said. "They're fascinated."
Of course, those adults who came to South Florida to escape the snow can also have their memories refreshed via the event's "Snow Mountain," featuring 16 tons of shaved ice trucked in from Royal Palm City Ice in Miami.
"It's big," said Laura Mogilewski, executive director of the Las Olas Association. "You'll have to go upstairs to reach the top, then sit on a saucer-shaped sled to slide to the bottom."
Visitors can also listen to the myriad school and church choirs performing on three stages placed among the olive and palm trees strung with holiday lights.
"The groups who performed last year have first right of refusal for this year's event," entertainment director Stephen Schuster said.
All groups wishing to perform go through Schuster, who uses a lottery system to narrow the field.
"Our stages fill up early every year," he said.
Pride of place belongs to the Riverside Hotel's Ice Bar, sculpted by a real sculptor out of a 1,200-pound block of ice. For the casual stroller, pleasant surprises abound.
Luke Moorman of Carroll's Jewelers, 915 E. Las Olas Blvd., said his shop will be offering free family photographs, while Peter Glenn Ski & Sports in Oakland Park will truck in a ski-instruction machine, which looks sort of like a carpet on rollers.
"You can warm up your moves before you head to Vail [Colorado]," Moorman said with a smile.
If that's not enough, organizers have planned an ice-skating rink, live models and various raffles.
Wolfe also said he will be discounting his biggest seller: Items by the French artist Rosario will be marked down 10 percent.
Christmas on Las Olas will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 2 along Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Any donated unwrapped toys will be delivered to the Children's Home Society of Florida.
For information call 954-937-7386 or visit http://www.lasolasboulevard.com/.
source: sun sentinal
Rory Vanucchi
Fort Lauderdale Blog & Real Estate News
www.LasOlasLifestyles.com
www.FortLauderdaleLiving.net
RoryVanucchi@gmail.com
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