By RICHARD Rosser

Fisher Family Pier Dedication. APRIL 2

200 Drones Take to the Sky
222 N Pompano Beach Boulevard
Saturday, April 2nd
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm

The City of Pompano Beach has announced the grand opening and dedication event for the Fisher Family Pier and Pompano Beach Fishing Village on Saturday April 2, starting at 6:30pm. At 9pm, all eyes will be over the ocean, south of the pier, as a spectacular production by Firefly Drone Shows will light up the skies with a dramatically choreographed presentation of 200 brightly lit drones coordinated by world-class artists and engineers.

While residents and visitors have been enjoying the Fisher Family Pier and its amenities for months now, an official opening ceremony had to be postponed due to COVID-19. But now, the time is right to cut the ribbon and celebrate the already iconic landmark. Everyone is invited to enjoy the free event which includes food, live music on the Pier, vendors and a concert by the Heartbreaks Band after the drone show.

The theme of the drone show is “Pompano Beach.” It will be one of the first drones shows in South Florida that is open to the public, said Pompano Beach spokesperson Sandra King.

The drones will fly in a series of 3D formations, all choreographed to futuristic music.

One of the highlights of the drone show will be the City of Pompano Beach logo appearing in the sky, with a fish that jumps out of it.

The bright LED light within each drone is 3,400 lumens, which can be seen for up to five miles away in unobstructed conditions. Each drone measures 14 inches across. Anyone unfamiliar with drone shows as performed at such events as the Olympics can view examples here: https://www.fireflydroneshows.com.

The drone show will last 15 minutes – from 9pm to 9:15pm – “so you don’t want to miss it,” said King.

The best place to view the drone show is south of the pier. The drones will stage and take off in the area north of the pier, which will be cordoned off. The City is expecting 8,000-10,000 attendees, similar to the size crowd that turns out for the City’s Fourth of July fireworks event. The pier dedication event will not pose a danger to sea turtles, and the City got clearance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said King.

Live art performers will be walking around in digitally lit-up costumes – a fish, lobster, jelly fish and a 7-foot-tall rose – providing interesting photo opportunities. At three different locations on the pier, live music will be performed by a saxophonist, bass duo and vocalist.

The drone show will be followed by funk, country, and soul group the Heartbreaks Band at 9:15pm on Pier Street, next to the Pier Parking Garage.

Shipwreck Park is the title sponsor that raised the money for the grand opening and dedication festivities.

Tom DiGiorgio, chairman of the Economic Development Council of Pompano Beach, and a board member of Shipwreck Park, will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

Pompano Beach Mayor Rex Hardin, Broward County Vice Mayor Lamar Fisher and Commissioner Andrea McGee will provide remarks at the ribbon cutting.

“We are thrilled to come together as a community to officially dedicate the Fisher Family Pier,” said Hardin of the upcoming event. “This Pier not only honors the legacy of one of Pompano Beach’s founding families, but also serves as a tremendous example of our City’s progress. The beachfront has always been the symbolic spirit of Pompano Beach and that is why extraordinary care and deliberation has been taken in bringing this magnificent vision into reality. We are very proud of what is being accomplished here. Not only have we created a cherished attraction for our residents and visitors, but we have developed an international destination that will become a paradigm for other cities to follow.”

At the dedication event, the City will be giving away free commemorative keychains that are a replica of the pier, while supplies last.

Parking

The Pier Parking Garage is expected to fill up quickly. There will be additional parking at the lot next to the Wells Fargo Bank at 199 N. Ocean Blvd, and the lot west of the Bank of America building at 101 S. Ocean Blvd.

Ride-sharing is strongly encouraged. There will be additional Pompano Circuit electric vehicles on hand for the event.

About the Fisher Family Pier

The Pier project broke ground in May 2017, replacing the original hurricane-damaged Pier built in 1963. The entrance features a social media worthy Arch and Gateway Plaza leading to the approximately 900-foot-long Pier which boasts several special elements including wide promenades, two overhanging balconies for sitting, and 30 artwork backlit panels showcasing fish and mammals in local ocean waters. Strolling to the end of the Pier, the structure’s design symbolically resembles a Pompano fish head, complete with a “fish-eye” for gazing down into the water below.

The redevelopment of the Pier is the crown jewel in an immense project that The Community Redevelopment Agency and The City have been working on for over a decade. The Pompano Fishing Village now features an array of restaurants, and retail including the Pompano Beach House, Oceanic, Lucky Fish Beach Bar and Grill, BurgerFi, Kilwins, Cannoli Kitchen and Alvin’s Island Beach Apparel. In addition, Hilton Tru/Hilton Home2 Suites Hotel also opened last year.

Sample bites from the Fishing Village restaurants will be offered during the event, while supplies last.

About the Fisher Family

Lamar Fisher served for 17 years in Pompano Beach as both Commissioner and Mayor. The Fisher Family legacy goes all the way back over 100 years. In 1943, Louis Fisher – Lamar Fisher’s Grandfather – served as Mayor of Pompano Beach. In 1931, Henry Bud Lyons – Lamar’s Great Uncle – served as a Broward County Commissioner. And in 1908, Clinton Lyons – Lamar Fisher’s Great Grandfather – signed the City’s Articles of Incorporation. Naming the Pompano Beach Fishing Pier “Fisher Family Pier” not only honors this family’s contribution and legacy to the City but is a most appropriate and ironic name for a fishing pier.

Event Sponsors

In addition to the title sponsor Shipwreck Park, the Fisher Family Pier and Pompano Beach Fishing Village dedication event is being sponsored by the following:

Adache Real Estate

Azur Equities

Baresco

Beach House Pompano

Burkhardt Construction

The Cordish Companies

Cutting Edge Landscaping

Hilton Tru/Hilton Home2 Suites Hotel

Isle Casino Pompano Park

KEITH

Lucky Fish

Mayla Pompano

MBR Construction

Murray Logan

New Urban Communities

Oceanic

Old Town Square Owners

Redevelopment Management Associates

Sera Martell Realty

Whiting Turner

Additional reporting for this story provided by Marie Puleo.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Never miss a Story! Subscribe to our Email Newsletter here

Sign up for Point! Publishing's E-Newsletter

* indicates required

Subscribe to our Print edition here

Get heard around town!

Advertise with Point Publications

CONTACT US

WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

=
Previous

LIGHTHOUSE POINT MAYOR GLENN TROAST REMEMBERED BY COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS

Next

LIGHTHOUSE POINT’S NEW MAYOR IS KYLE VAN BUSKIRK

About Author

LOCAL NEWS

This post was prepared by staff at Point! Publishing. For inquiries call 954-603-4553.

Subscribe to Coastal news

Get our free email newsletter directly in your inbox! Our semi-monthly newsletter showcases the most important local news and events in your backyard and comes with complimentary digital editions of our magazines!