Shake-A-Leg wins awards at Winterfest parade

Shake-A-Leg Miami's decorated boats won prizes this year in the Winterfest Boat Parade.

Two world-class sailors, Kerry Gruson, Karen Mitchell and their crew won the Best Overall Sailboat award for Whirlwind XIV (left). A big pink ribbon flew over the boat with pink ribbon hull waves, red hearts and bright lights. The ribbons were there to symbolize that fact that both have overcome cancer and their boat celebrated the healing powers of love and sailing.

The "We Are the World" entry, aboard the John E. Pearson boat (above) won the Spirit Award. Kathy Keleher, John Muir and the Winterfest team brought non-profits into the parade. Joining us decorating both boats were a team from the Broward College Marine Program, Ellen and Alex Loebelenz from All Purpose Life skills, Rick Sherman and Gunny Lou and 19 Marines from the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program. Capt. Jack Carey was at the boat's helm.

Captain Joei and her "Team Raptor" won Best Lighted Sailboat for "Trimaran Raptor," with handmade LED lighted Haitian flag, to celebrate a new little orphanage of earthquake survivors just opened by Diakonos International, who sponsored the boat.

Other's involved included Jane Goldberg, "the tap dance diva," straight from New York City, which was perfect for one of the themes, "Dancing Through the Decades." She danced with Oliver Pesch, the Whirlwind lighting technician.