FORT LAUDERDALE – Three local legends will be recognized for their lifelong accomplishments with induction into the City of Fort Lauderdale's Walk of Fame on Saturday, May 25, 2013 as part of the 4th Annual Great American Beach Party.
The official Walk of Fame induction ceremony will take place at 6:45 p.m. on the Great American Beach Party south stage, located at Las Olas Boulevard and A1A on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
This year's honorees include Attorney and Civil Rights Advocate W. George Allen; The Gill Family, Fort Lauderdale's First Family of Tourism; and Public Relations Executive Jack Drury.
Each honoree will receive a commemorative marble paver that will be placed in the Walk of Fame to memorialize their outstanding accomplishments. The Fort Lauderdale Walk of Fame is located on the beach along the east side of A1A at Las Olas Boulevard.
The City established the Walk of Fame in 2010 at the inaugural Great American Beach Party to pay tribute to the legendary Connie Francis on the 50th Anniversary of "Where the Boys Are," the 1960 film which made Fort Lauderdale an overnight sensation and a "must see" destination for visitors.
Last year's inductees included Entrepreneur and Philanthropist H. Wayne Huizenga; legendary Fort Lauderdale Tennis Director Jimmy Evert; Hall of Fame Tennis Professional Chris Evert; and Comedian, Actor and Television Personality, Woody Woodbury.
In 2011, Fort Lauderdale's Centennial Year, five local legends were inducted into the Walk of Fame: Cardinal Gibbons Girls' Volleyball Coach Louise Crocco; Astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander Brent Jett; Award-winning Dillard Girls' Basketball Coach Marcia Pinder; Radio Broadcasting Legend Rick Shaw; and Legendary St. Thomas Aquinas Football Coach George Smith. A sixth paver was placed in the Walk of Fame in 2011 to commemorate the City's Centennial.
Each of the 2013 honorees has distinguished themselves in their respective fields, while making positive contributions to the City of Fort Lauderdale.
W. George Allen
For more than 50 years, Attorney W. George Allen has led the cause for equality, civil rights and equal opportunity in Fort Lauderdale. Born on March 3, 1936, Allen grew up in a segregated community in Sanford, Florida, where, as he put it, "everything was separate and unequal." He graduated from Crooms High School in 1954 and Florida A&M University in 1958.
In 1960, he entered the University of Florida Law School, and two years later, on December 22, 1962, became the first African-American to graduate from the school and the first African-American to graduate from any predominantly white college in the South. Allen's achievement was not only a victory for him, but also for countless others who had fought for equality for decades at the University.
In 1963, Allen opened his own law office in Fort Lauderdale. Over the next five decades, he would build a successful practice using the courts to fight Jim Crow laws, open doors to equality, and enable thousands to realize their dreams. Allen's landmark case came in 1970 when he prevailed in a lawsuit for the complete desegregation of Broward County Schools.
Today, George Allen serves as an inspiration and role model to people of all ages. He continues to lead by example, vowing never to waver from his pledge to stand tall in the face of adversity no matter what the odds.
The Gill Family
Recognized as Fort Lauderdale's "First Family of Tourism," the Gill Family's contributions to shaping, developing and revolutionizing the City's tourism and hospitality business are unsurpassed in the history of the industry.
The family's legacy dates back to the late 1940s when patriarch George W. "Bob" Gill departed from the traditional concept of formal, seasonal hotels. On New Year's Eve 1949, he opened the Escape, the first hotel on Fort Lauderdale beach to operate year-round and offer guests a swimming pool. Landmark developments followed in the '50s and '60s including the Jolly Roger, the first Fort Lauderdale beach hotel to offer in-room air conditioning, the Tradewinds, the Sheraton Yankee Clipper and Sheraton Yankee Trader.
A true visionary, Bob Gill was the first to invite travel agents from cold northern cities to stay at his hotels and promote Fort Lauderdale as a winter getaway. He was instrumental in luring the New York Yankees' spring training camp to Fort Lauderdale in the 1960s, and following the success of the movie "Where the Boys Are," helped position Fort Lauderdale as a the nation's premier college Spring Break destination.
Throughout his illustrious career, Bob Gill's guiding influence was his wife Mary, who was the quiet strength and gentle force behind his success. Mary Gill was widely recognized for her philanthropic endeavors and generous support of countless cultural, faith based, and service organizations.
Decades later, Bob handed over the reins of Gill Hotels to his daughter, Linda, who became one of the most successful and admired business leaders in Fort Lauderdale. Linda Gill was the first woman to chair the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, the first woman president of Broward's Hotel and Motel Association, a longtime board member of the Broward County Tourist Development Council and an active member of the Florida Commission on Tourism. Linda played a key role in transitioning Fort Lauderdale from a Spring Break destination to a year round family resort and business center.
Thanks to the efforts of the Gill Family, today, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a "must see vacation destination" that attracts millions of visitors a year.
Jack Drury
Public relations legend Jack Drury has been promoting Fort Lauderdale for over five decades. His marketing and public relations expertise have helped showcase Fort Lauderdale's best assets to audiences around the world, while strengthening our reputation as a premier destination for domestic and international visitors.
Drury turned Fort Lauderdale into the "Playground of the Stars" thanks to his close relationships with some of Hollywood's biggest names including Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Jayne Mansfield, Cary Grant, and Bob Hope.
Six months before Johnny Carson's first appearance as host of the NBC Tonight Show, Drury invited him, Ed McMahon, and the show's writers and producers to Fort Lauderdale to work on material for the program. The team spent 10 days in Fort Lauderdale and had such a good time that they made the City their home away from home. Millions of viewers soon became familiar with Fort Lauderdale after hearing Carson and McMahon talk about their escapades in the City on the Tonight Show.
In 1987, Drury scored another public relations coup when he convinced Bob Hope to tape his annual NBC Christmas Special from Fort Lauderdale. The show, called "A Snow Job in Florida" showcased Fort Lauderdale to more than 30 million viewers across the nation and generated unprecedented visibility, exposure, and attention for the City.
Today, Jack Drury remains an outstanding and devoted Goodwill Ambassador for Fort Lauderdale.
In addition to the Walk of Fame induction ceremony, the City of Fort Lauderdale's 4th Annual Great American Beach Party will feature a day and evening full of exciting activities and entertainment on Saturday, May 25th from 10 am – 10 pm at A1A and Las Olas Boulevard on Fort Lauderdale Beach.
The free event begins at 10 am when a stretch of world famous A1A is transformed into a dynamic entertainment mecca featuring music, live performances, and activities for the entire family.
Seven bands will perform on two stages throughout the day treating crowds to a variety of classic oldies, rock n' roll, '80s hits, jazz favorites, rhythm & blues, and more. Featured artists will include Across the Universe (Beatles Tribute Band); Tim Bluntson (80's Tribute Band); The Inverted (Classic Rock); Riverside Dixieland Band (Jazz); Nikki Kidd (R&B); Bahamas Junkanoo Revue; and headliner Boogie Knights (Disco Revival).
Award-winning LivingSand artist and sculptor John May will present the Great American Sand Sculpting Contest from 10 am - 1 pm on the beach from Poinsettia Street to Cortez Street. No experience is necessary to participate in this spirited, friendly competition that has become an annual favorite among families, children, neighborhoods, and businesses. Prizes will be awarded for best sand sculptures in a variety of categories.
Automobile enthusiasts won't want to miss the Great American Beach Party's Classic Car Show, presented by Keith Pisut of Keith's Rods and Customs from 11:30 am - 8:00 pm. More than 50 custom classics will line both sides of A1A from Poinsettia Street to Cortez Street giving beach-goers an up close look at a unique collection of vintage hot rods, rag tops, roadsters and muscle cars.
From noon - 5 pm, celebrity DJ William Pennhouse will bring his non-stop energy and excitement to the Kids Zone, located on the beach at Poinsettia Street. Activities for children and adults will include music, face painting, hula-hoop, limbo and Twister contests; along with a water balloon toss, beach water slide, and bounce house.
Highlights of the Great American Beach Party will also include displays and exhibits from more than 20 artists presented by ArtServe Fort Lauderdale, a sand soccer tournament, volleyball tournament, community booths, collectibles, and plenty of food and beverages.
In commemoration of Memorial Day Weekend, a military tribute will take place at 4:30 pm to honor the men and women who serve our country in the United States Armed Forces. The tribute will include the presentation of colors, national anthem, and remarks from Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. "Jack" Seiler.
At 7:30 pm, get ready to break out your polyester white suit and platform shoes as the City of Fort Lauderdale welcomes the nationally acclaimed disco revival band Boogie Knights to South Florida for an exclusive engagement at the Great American Beach Party.
Boogie Knights took the live music scene by storm in the early 1990s and began a buzz that has continued for over two decades. The band's action-packed sets feature chart-topping hits of the disco era from artists including the Bee Gees, K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Sister Sledge, Kool and the Gang, The Commodores, Donna Summer, Earth Wind and Fire, Gloria Gaynor and more!
Complete with Afro hairdos, bell bottoms, wacky choreography and tons of polyester, the Boogie Knights have gained a worldwide following, performing on national television, at major sporting events, and with live performances across the world, giving rise to the group's reputation as "the greatest disco revival show in the world."
To top off the evening, at 8:30 pm the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival will treat event-goers to a free movie showing of "Back to the Future," the 1985 classic sci-fi comedy adventure starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. The movie will be shown on a larger-than-life screen set in the sand off the corner of A1A and Las Olas Boulevard.
The City of Fort Lauderdale's Great American Beach Party is sponsored by AutoNation, Budweiser, Broward County Cultural Division, City of Fort Lauderdale Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Magic 102.7, Sun-Sentinel, Sparkling Ice, Hyatt Regency Pier 66, Galleria Mall, and the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Avoid the traffic jams and the elusive hunt for a parking space. Instead, get to the Great American Beach Party stress free by taking a land or sea shuttle.
For details about shuttle service, parking, and all the event details, visit www.fortlauderdale.gov/gabp or call the event hotline at (954) 828-5363.
