Celebrate the 88th annual festival with a concert in the park, parade, festival, and rodeo!

The Town of Davie will host the 88th Annual Orange Blossom Festival, Parade and Rodeo from Feb. 21 through Feb. 23, 2025, featuring live music, a parade, activities, a rodeo and more. Events will take place throughout Davie, with the main festival and parade activities occurring at Bamford Sports Complex, 3801 S. Pine Island Road.

Please take note of the three-day event schedule:

Friday, Feb. 21: Orange Blossom Kick-off Concert, 6 – 9 p.m.

Join us for a free special edition of the “Sounds of the Town” concert in the park with Southern Blood from 6 to 9 p.m. at Bamford Sports Complex as we kick off Orange Blossom with live rock music.

Gates open at 6 p.m. for individuals to enjoy the vendor booths. The band will begin on the Seminole Classic Casino Stage at 6:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets and arrive early to secure their spots and purchase items from the food trucks and vendor booths.

Saturday, Feb. 22: Orange Blossom Parade and Festival, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Orange Blossom Parade will begin promptly at 10 a.m. at Bamford Sports Complex. In honor of the Town of Davie’s Centennial Celebration, this year’s chosen theme is “100 Years of Trailblazing.”

Immediately following the parade, festival gates will open for the Orange Blossom Festival until 6 p.m. Festival activities include:

• Arts and crafts vendors
• Food trucks
• Kids’ Corner rides and activities
• Petting farm
• Cowboy Town historical displays
• Strawberry Shortcake festival
• 4H farmers market and more!

Live entertainment will feature:

• South Florida Cloggers
• South Florida Renegade Cheer Team
• Beat Street

Enjoy performances by Retro Sky and Jay Valor on the Seminole Classic Casino Stage.

Sunday, Feb. 23: Orange Blossom Festival, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Festival grounds at the Bamford Sports Complex will open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday for a continuation of festival activities, performances and live music by Samantha Russell Band and Shane Duncan Band.

Local group performances will include:

• Encore Dance Studio
• Beat Street
• SunDanz
• Fushu Daiku

Orange Blossom Rodeo

The Orange Blossom Rodeo will be held at Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4201 Rodeo Way, on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at 2 p.m. Purchase your tickets in advance at www.DavieProRodeo.com.

Rodeo parking will be available onsite on the rodeo grounds for $5 per vehicle, cash-only.

Bamford Sports Complex Parking Information

Free parking for the concert, parade and festival will be available at the Bamford Sports Complex. Please note that pets and coolers are not permitted at the park.

Attendees should enter through the park’s main entrance on Pine Island Road, see map below.

For more information about the Orange Blossom festivities, contact specialevents@davie-fl.gov or 954-797-1181.

Effort aims to prevent traffic fatalities and serious injuries on Broward County roadways

The Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Broward County will host a second round of Broward Safety Action Plan (BSAP) public workshops during the month of February. These workshops will provide residents with an opportunity to review conceptual designs and offer feedback on critical safety measures for some of the county’s most dangerous streets.

“Community education and input is vital to the success of the Broward Safety Action Plan,” said Greg Stuart, executive director of the Broward MPO. “Working in collaboration with Broward County and by engaging residents, we can identify effective strategies and implement meaningful changes that will save lives and make our streets safer for everyone.”

The BSAP initiative emphasizes collaboration between community members, local leaders, and transportation experts. By participating in these workshops, residents can directly influence the development of safer streets for all users, including bicyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and transit riders.

Broward County continues to face significant challenges with traffic safety. The county’s fatality rate stands at 14.8 per 100,000 people which is more than five times higher than New York City and twice as deadly as Chicago. The BSAP addresses these challenges by focusing on targeted analysis and solutions to improve safety on priority corridors across Broward County.

The February workshops are designed to educate and engage the public through materials such as corridor concept designs, safety countermeasures, and equity and safety analyses. Each session will include a brief presentation, an open house for feedback, and opportunities to engage directly with the BSAP team. Attendees will also have the chance to sign a safety pledge, explore an interactive map, and receive complimentary safety items, such as bike lights, bracelets or bags.

Workshop Schedule:

Taft Street (from NW 70^th Terrace to US 441/SR 7)
Monday, February 10, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Boulevard Heights Community Center
6770 Garfield St, Hollywood, FL 33024

Sistrunk Boulevard (from NW 27^th Avenue to N Andrews Avenue)
Wednesday, February 12, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
L.A. Lee YMCA
1409 NW 6th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Royal Palm Boulevard (from Riverside Drive to US 441/SR 7)
Rock Island Road (from Royal Palm Boulevard to Southgate Boulevard)
Thursday, February 13, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Margate City Hall
5790 Margate Blvd, Margate, FL 33063

Stirling Road (from SW 12^th Avenue to US 1)
Tuesday, February 18, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Dania Beach City Hall, NW Conference Room
100 W Dania Beach Blvd, Dania Beach, FL 33004

West Broward Boulevard (from Central Park Drive to University Drive)
Wednesday, February 19, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
West Regional Library
8601 W Broward Blvd, Plantation, FL 33324

NW 31st Avenue (from NW 8^th Place to McNab Road)
NW 19th Street (from NW 43rd Terrace to NW 31st Avenue)
Thursday, February 20, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Lauderdale Lakes City Hall
4300 NW 36th St, Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33319

US 441/SR 7 (from Sunrise Boulevard to Davie Boulevard)
Monday, February 24, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Palms at Plantation Senior Living
1019 S State Road 7, Plantation, FL 33317

Broward Boulevard (from I-95 to FEC Tracks)
Tuesday, February 25, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club
20 S Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

SW 10th Street (from I-95 to Dixie Highway)
Thursday, February 27, 6 PM – 7:30 PM
Hillsboro Community Center
50 Hillsboro Technology Dr, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

To learn more, take the safety pledge, or share input via the interactive map, visit www.safestreets4broward.org.

About Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization is a federally mandated agency responsible for making policy on local transportation issues and deciding how to spend federal money on relevant projects in Broward County. Governed by a local board comprised of 25 voting members, Broward MPO is responsible for transportation planning and funding allocation in urbanized Broward County. The Broward MPO works with the public, planning organizations, government agencies, elected officials and community groups to develop transportation plans that address overall mobility within the county. The mission is to develop better roadways, seamless public transportation, more bike lanes and walking paths and improved infrastructure. For more information, please visit https://www.browardmpo.org.

For the second consecutive year, Rudy Molinet, RN, MPH, FACHE has been named chair and Karen O’Byrne, CPA, MBA as vice chair of the Holy Cross Health Board of Directors. In addition, the board has announced that Tamecka McKay, MPA, ITIL, CGCIO; Sybil Alfred, MBA; and Ahmed Ameen Waheed, M.D. have joined the board. 

Rudy Molinet, RN, MPH, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer, Artemis Synergies Consulting has been re-elected Chair of the Holy Cross Health Board. Under Molinet’s leadership working with the executive leadership team during the past year, Holy Cross has experienced tremendous growth in their ambulatory footprint, with several new locations and new providers joining the health system. Together with the development team, Holy Cross has received several transformational gifts that will enable them to grow their ministry in the community and further their mission. Working with the Community Health and Well-Being team, Molinet’s leadership has helped Holy Cross Health earn “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and receive Equality Florida’s Equality Means Business Award, which recognizes businesses that are courageously, passionately and unwaveringly committed to moving the LGBTQ+ community closer to full equality, as well as businesses that have adopted comprehensive non-discrimination policies and demonstrate their commitment to valuing and pro-actively including all employees. The Wilton Manors resident and 40-year healthcare executive previously served as vice chair of the Board and serves on all Board committees as an ex-officio member. Molinet is board-certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. As CEO of Artemis Synergies, Molinet and his team provide executive coaching, business consulting and strategic planning services specializing in healthcare organizations. He is an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University Executive Education’ s Executive MHA program, where he teaches strategic planning, marketing and leadership to graduate students and develops innovative programs to improve the student experience. Molinet is involved with several charities and foundations focused on healthcare leadership and serving the LGBTQ+ community.

Karen O’Byrne, MBA, Managing Director, Warburg Pincus has been re-elected Vice Chair of the Holy Cross Health Board. She continues as a member of the Board’s Executive and Finance Committees. O’Byrne joined Warburg Pincus in 2022 and is a CFO Advisor on the Value Creation team. She brings over 30 years of financial and operational experience, leading growth-oriented technology organizations. Previously, she was the President and Chief Executive Officer at Motus LLC, having previously served as its Chief Financial Officer. O’Byrne was the Chief Financial Officer of Modernizing Medicine (ModMed®) and Campus Management, and held the lead finance role in the Web Hosting unit of Verio, Inc. She received both her MBA and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida.

New Board Members

Tamecka M. McKay, MPA, ITIL, CGCIO will serve on the Holy Cross Health Board of Directors compliance committee. As the chief information officer and director of information technology (IT) for the City of Fort Lauderdale, she focuses on driving innovation, digital transformation and service delivery excellence by overseeing the management, strategy and execution of IT services. McKay previously worked in IT and information systems for Broward County Public Schools and the Town of Davie and taught computer networking classes at ITT Technical Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management from Broward College and a Master of Public Administration from Florida International University. She is expected to complete her Doctor of Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University in 2027. McKay is involved in numerous organizations including Broward College Computer Science and Engineering Advisory Board; International City/County Management Association; American Society for Public Administration; Society of Information Management; Florida International University Public Administration Advisory Board; VMUG Board Director/Diversity & Inclusion Task Force Chair; SouthFloridaCIO Board Officer/Membership Co-Chair; and CIO Advisory Council. Last year, she received the Excellence in Government Innovation Award from the American Society for Public Administration and South Florida ORBIE Award, a technology executive recognition program, from SouthFloridaCIO. In 2023, she was named the Most Innovative Chief Innovation Officer by the Alan B. Levan NSU Center of Innovation Orbit Award and Top 10 City Government CIO by Gov CIO Outlook.

Sybil Alfred, MBA, will serve on the Quality & Safety committee. While earning her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, she began working as a program advisor in the executive education department of FAU College of Business, where she has remained for the entirety of her career. Over the course of nearly 24 years, Alfred was promoted first to associate director and now to her current position of director. She is the first woman of color to serve as a director in the FAU College of Business. Along the way, she also earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in healthcare administration from FAU. Her expertise in strategic planning, collaboration, communication, innovation, customer service, and project and relationship management will lend itself productively to her position on the Holy Cross Health Board of Directors. 

Ahmed Ameen Waheed, M.D. will serve on the Board’s quality & safety committee. A board-certified nephrologist, Dr. Waheed became the president-elect of the medical staff at Holy Cross Health in December 2024, where he is also Chief of Medicine. Additionally, he’s a partner at National Kidney Partners and affiliate assistant professor at the University of Miami’s Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. Since joining Holy Cross in 2017 as director of the inpatient dialysis center, he’s been a member of the Critical Care Advisory Committee and Physician Administration Transition Advisory Team, as well as served as the secretary and nephrology section chief of the Department of Medicine. Originally from Maldives, Dr. Waheed earned his degree from Sing Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. After launching his medical career in Pakistan, he moved back to the Maldives for a year before emigrating to the United States, first living and working in Chicago for eight years and later settling in South Florida in 2011. He is a member of the American Society of Nephrology, American Medical Association and Maldives Medical Council. In addition to English, Dr. Waheed speaks several languages including Dhivehi, Urdu, Arabic and Spanish.

“I am honored that my peers re-elected me for a second term as Chair of the Board, and I know Karen feels the same way. We look forward to continuing to serve and make strides in creating an inclusive environment for all patients to receive quality, compassionate healthcare,” said Molinet. “We welcome Tamecka, Sybil and Ahmed to the Board. Given their diverse backgrounds, they will bring fresh perspectives to our decision-making process and make impactful contributions. Holy Cross has a bright future, and along with our current and new board members and executive leadership team, we will continue to innovate and serve as the premier healthcare destination in Broward County.”

ABOUT HOLY CROSS HEALTH
A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, not-for-profit, Catholic teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for six Types of Care in U.S. News and World Report’s 2024-25 Best Hospital rankings and was named among the 2024 America’s Best-In-State Hospitals by Newsweek. Holy Cross has been designated as a High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for LGBTQ+ healthcare access. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient, and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as our community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also encompasses Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, an urgent care center, and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com. Connect @holycrossfl.

The Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) has received a leadership gift from the Leo Goodwin Foundation to support its GOOD 4U KIDS’ CLUB for underserved children and the Otters at Play exhibit.

For nearly a decade, the unwavering support of the Leo Goodwin Foundation has empowered children and families to experience the wonder of the Museum at no cost through the GOOD 4U KIDS’ CLUB, breaking down barriers for those who might not otherwise have access. By partnering with impactful organizations such as Kids In Distress, PACE Center for Girls, Boys & Girls Clubs and others, this program uplifts and inspires children facing challenges, providing them with opportunities to learn, grow and thrive in a nurturing environment.

“We are beyond grateful to the Leo Goodwin Foundation and Trustees Alan Goldberg and Elliot Borkson for their ongoing support of the Museum of Discovery and Science’s mission to connect people to inspiring science by offering access for all,” said Joe Cox, president and CEO at MODS. “MODS strongly believes that every individual, regardless of financial means, should be able to visit the Museum and both Alan and Elliot recognize the importance of the benefits we offer the community.”

The Foundation is also sponsoring the Otters at Play exhibit, one of the most popular experiences at MODS. Visitors of all ages can enjoy watching the playful, endearing North American river otter in its own two-story indoor/outdoor habitat, complete with swimming pool and waterfall, while learning about animal conservation and stewardship.

“The Leo Goodwin Foundation is honored and privileged to make this important contribution to the Museum of Discovery and Science, which instills curiosity and a love of learning in children, regardless of their socioeconomic status,” said Alan Goldberg, president of the Leo Goodwin Foundation.

“For nearly five decades, MODS has fostered an inclusive environment that has inspired communities of future scientists, engineers, conservationists, environmental advocates and more,” added Elliot Borkson, vice president of the Leo Goodwin Foundation. “We are thankful for the incredible work and commitment of everyone at MODS and are proud to support their efforts.”

MODS has been a cornerstone of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and exploration in South Florida since its opening in 1977. Originally established as The Discovery Center, the Museum has grown exponentially over the years, expanding its exhibits, programs and outreach to become a leading destination for STEM learning. In 1992, the Museum opened its doors in a new, state-of-the-art facility featuring interactive exhibits and the region’s only AutoNation IMAX Theater. Today, MODS continues to evolve, inspiring generations with innovative programs and hands-on experiences that bring science to life.

To learn more about the Leo Goodwin Foundation GOOD 4U KIDS’ CLUB at MODS or to get involved, please contact Megan Zukowski at 954.713.0930 or visit booking@mods.org.

About Leo Goodwin Foundation

The Leo Goodwin Foundation, a charitable foundation based in Broward County, was established by Leo Goodwin Sr. and Jr. It was the Goodwin family that founded GEICO Insurance Company. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the lives of all of those who live in the community. Their work began with the youngest and most vulnerable in the community. Their initial investments supported the efforts of Kids In Distress; the Boys and Girls Clubs; PACE Center for Girls; SOS Children’s Villages and many others whose primary focus was on the kids. The Trustees of the Foundation quickly saw the importance of education and made a significant commitment to Nova Southeastern University. The Goodwin name prominently appears throughout Nova’s Davie campus. In addition, the Foundation funds and distributes scholarships each year to numerous deserving students at Nova Law School and Broward College. The Leo Goodwin Foundation has also sought to tackle some of the more immediate problems facing the community, including mental health issues, with a major grant to Henderson Behavioral Health; and homeless issues, with initial capital funding and ongoing commitments to Broward Partnership for the Homeless. The Trustees are also proud of the Foundation’s commitment to the Arts, including funding for the Broward Performing Arts Center; The Museum of Discovery and Science; and Young at Art, Children’s Museum. It is the hope of the Foundation that its efforts will benefit the community as a whole and their positioning line, “By Doing Good, We All Win,” is fulfilled. To learn more about the Leo Goodwin Foundation, please visit leogoodwinfoundation.org or call 754.772.6863.

About the Museum of Discovery and Science
Founded in 1976 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science, providing STEM education and cultural experiences for 450,000+ visitors annually in the 150,000 sq. ft. facility. MODS is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). MODS has added to that distinction by being named Broward’s Hub for Resilience Education by the Board of the Community Foundation of Broward, selected by the LEGO Foundation as one of only 15 museums nationwide to join thePlayful Learning Museum Network and awarded the prestigious 2023 IMLS National Medal for Museum Service.

The Museum celebrates diversity and welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MODS is located downtown at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit mods.org or call 954.467.MODS (6637).

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The Town of Davie’s 2025 Mayor’s Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications for Davie graduating high school seniors interested in pursuing a career in public service. Applications are due by Friday, March 28, 2025.

The Mayor’s Scholarship Fund will grant two recipients a $500 scholarship to encourage education in an area of public service, including public safety, public administration, law, or other public service-related fields.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must:

• Be a permanent resident of the Town of Davie;
• Be enrolled at a Davie school (public or private); and
• Have a minimum cumulative unweighted grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), verified by a school transcript.
• Applicants must reside within the Town of Davie

Applying to the Program

Qualifying students must submit the following documents:

• A letter of intent stating their area of career interest written in 12-point font;
  • List of colleges applied to or accepted to
  • Relevant experience in public service fields including, but not limited to, JROTC, police or fire exploders programs and governmental internships if applicable
  • Limited to four pages
• A resume; and
• Two letters of recommendation from someone other than a family member who has known them for at least four years.

All required documents must be sent electronically to Mayor Judy Paul at jpaul@davie-fl.gov. Hard copies will not be accepted.

Submitted applications will be reviewed by the Town’s Youth, Education and Safety Advisory Committee. Recipients will be notified on April 11, 2025, and recognized at the Town Council meeting on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Jeff Pohlman, Director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, at 954-797-1163 or Mayor Judy Paul at 954-797-1030 or jpaul@davie-fl.gov if you have any questions.