FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Get ready for an exciting weekend of events as Greater Fort Lauderdale presents “Stars, Stripes and Sun,” A Salute to the Military, September 14 - 16, 2012.
 
Veterans and military personnel can enjoy special offers at more than 50 participating hotels, clubs and restaurants. Check out all the deals at www.sunny.org/military.   In addition to discounts and super savings, “Stars, Stripes and Sun” will feature an outstanding lineup of free events for everyone to enjoy.
 
“Every day, our men and women in the armed services proudly and professionally put themselves in harm’s way to protect our way of life,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler.  “The ‘Stars, Stripes and Sun’ celebration gives our community an opportunity to come together to thank these true heroes for their courage, commitment and sacrifices, while sharing in a weekend of fantastic, fun-filled events.”
 
“Stars, Stripes and Sun” kicks off with a free Dolphins Day Pep Rally on Friday, September 14 from 5 - 8 p.m. in Huizenga Plaza, located at Andrews Avenue and Las Olas Boulevard in downtown Fort Lauderdale.  The military tribute continues on Saturday, September 15 at Saturday Nite Alive from 7 - 11 p.m. at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard on Fort Lauderdale Beach. The celebration wraps up on Sunday, September 16 with a military fundraiser from 1 - 8 p.m. at Exit 66, located at 219 A1A on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
 
As part of the military tribute, both the Dolphins Day Pep Rally and the Saturday Nite Alive events will include special precision skydiving demonstrations by the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team.
 
Highlights of the weekend events include:
 
Dolphins Day Pep Rally – Friday, September 14 – 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Huizenga Plaza – Andrews Ave. and Las Olas Blvd. – Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Are you ready for some football? Join us for a free pep rally to cheer on the Miami Dolphins before their first home game against the Oakland Raiders.  The Dolphins Day Pep Rally will feature special appearances by the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders, alumni players, and mascot T.D.  Plus, live music by Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways, a Kids Zone, contests, prizes, and South Florida's best gourmet food trucks!  At 6 p.m., the U.S. Army Golden Knights will perform a precision freefall parachute drill.  The 10-member team will skydive from 12,500 feet at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour into Huizenga Plaza.  In addition, the event will include a WorkForce One Career Center, representatives from local businesses and non-profit groups including United Way and the Riverside Hotel, and military recruiters from the U.S. Armed Forces. For details, visit www.sunny.org/military.
 
Dolphins Day Traffic Advisory for Las Olas Boulevard – September 14, 2012
The following traffic restrictions will be in effect for Las Olas Boulevard between Andrews Avenue and S.E. 1st Avenue on Friday, September 14, 2012.  Eastbound lanes of Las Olas Bouelvard will be closed beginning at 3:30 p.m. and westbound lanes of Las Olas Bouelvard will be closed beginning at 4:00 p.m.  Las Olas Bouelvard will reopen at 9:30 p.m.
 
Saturday Nite Alive – Saturday, September 15 – 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.
A1A and Las Olas Boulevard – Fort Lauderdale Beach
When the sun goes down, Fort Lauderdale Beach heats up with Saturday Nite Alive from 7 - 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 15 along A1A from Hall of Fame Drive north to Castillo Street. This free event will showcase an outstanding lineup of entertainment featuring a variety of jazz, rock, reggae, rhythm and blues and tropical music.  Featured artists include Billy Bones, Swahili, the Nikki Kidd Band, Taiko Drummers and the Bahamian Junkanoo Revue performing at the Las Olas/A1A promenade and at various venues along the west side of A1A.  At 8:30 p.m., the U.S. Army Golden Knights will take to the sky to perform Fort Lauderdale’s first nighttime parachute jump with pyrotechnics.  The 10-member team will skydive from 12,500 feet and land on a target positioned on the beach at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard.  Saturday Nite Alive will also include fire dancers, magicians, unique merchandise from local vendors, a WorkForce One Career Center, representatives from local businesses and non-profit groups and military recruiters from the U.S. Armed Forces.  For details, visit www.sunny.org/military.
 
Military Fundraiser at Exit 66 – Sunday, September 16 – 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.
219 A1A – Fort Lauderdale Beach
The fun continues on Sunday at one of the most popular clubs on Fort Lauderdale Beach.  Exit 66 will host a special Military Fundraiser to benefit Veteran Services of America.  The event will take place on September 16 from 1 - 8 p.m. and feature a pool party, barbecue, and music with DJ Eran Hersh & Friends.  All military personnel will receive a complimentary Miller Lite draft along with a “Love Our Locals” card.  Exit 66 is located at 219 A1A on Fort Lauderdale Beach.  For more details, visit.  www.facebook.com/Exit66Nightclub.
 
Sun Trolley
As part of the “Stars, Stripes and Sun” celebration, Sun Trolley will offer free fares for military personnel, September 14 - 16.  The Sun Trolley will service Las Olas Boulevard until 10 p.m. on Friday, September 14 and will service the beach until 10 p.m. on Saturday, September 15.  The Sun Trolley operates on a “wave and ride” system with no designated stops. To ride, simply wave your hand to flag the driver and indicate that you would like to board.  Riders can now download the “Sun Trolley Tracker,” a new app available for iPhone or Android devices.  The Sun Trolley Tracker makes it easy to catch a trolley by enabling users to see where the trolley is on its route and providing the estimated time until it is available. For more information, please visit www.suntrolley.com or call (954) 761-3543.
 
“Stars, Stripes and Sun” is sponsored by the City of Fort Lauderdale, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Fort Lauderdale Beach Redevelopment Agency, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Development Authority, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Broward Chapter, AutoNation, United Way, JM Family Enterprises, the Riverside Hotel, WorkForce One, Magic 102.7, Sports Talk 790 AM/104.3 FM The Ticket, Sun-Sentinel, and Sun Trolley.
 
For more information about “Stars, Stripes and Sun,” visit www.sunny.org/military or www.fortlauderdale.gov.