Ariel W.
Google
Las Olas is Spanish for the waves which is appropriate since this road begins at Andrews Ave and ends at A1A at the beach. Prior to the 1900's, Las Olas was a dirt road that crossed over the swamp to a barrier island on Ft. Lauderdale Beach. In 1917 S.P. Snyder & Son Co. built the boulevard we know and love today. The modern commercial section was constructed after WWII. In the 1970's the boulevard went under further redevelopment. Today close to downtown Ft Lauderdale is a cute little area of 4 blocks filled with boutiques, restaurants with sidewalk seating, art galleries, clubs and ice cream shops.
Tonight was the 61st annual Christmas on Las Olas, a festival presented by the Las Olas Association. It kicks off the holiday season and brings a lot of business to the boulevard. In past years I have resisted going because parking is difficult at best On Las Olas. On a festival day it is a cluster. Also they always have this event on a week night and I work over 10 hours a day. This year my school was performing and it was a perfect 65 degree evening so I a caffeinated up, packed my patience, and headed downtown.
Traffic near the festival slowed to a crawl but I know my way around so I was able to secure a spot without too much difficulty. From there it was off the boulevard. Once I actually got onto Las Olas it was really crowded and difficult to move but there is so much to see and it quickly puts you in a festive mood. Everyone was dressed up in their holiday best. Between Southeast Eight and Eleventh Streets the restaurants and many of the shops and galleries are open late for the event. In addition there are three stages of entertainment with dance, chorus, and singers, snow tubing, ice skating, local non profits, businesses, food, drinks, shopping, a silent auction, and Santa Claus. It is a great event that brings the community together to launch holiday fun. Christmas on Lad Olas runs from 5 to 10 PM and admission is free.
