Patti Roth

Patti Roth, the editor of Fort Lauderdale on the Cheap, scouts out state and national deals, discounts and coupons for our readers, finding the real deals and presenting them in an easy-to-read format. A veteran newspaper and magazine writer and a longtime South Florida resident, she has written for The Miami Herald, The Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Travel and Life, E Environmental Magazine, Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, US Architecture and Earth911.com. Send your cheap tips to her at info@fortlauderdaleonthecheap.com.

Floats, twirlers, and dancers are among entertainment featured in the Sistrunk Parade and Festival in Fort Lauderdale. Sistrunk Parade and Festival in 2025 is 8:30 a.m. Saturday, February 22, for the parade and 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. for the festival. Entry to the festivities is free. The event is in association with Black History …

Orange Blossom Festival offers vendors, live bands and things to do for kids in Davie. A parade and an auto show are included in the events. The Orange Blossom Festival in 2025 is Friday, February 21, Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, and entry is free. Festival at Bamford Park The event includes: 6 …

For folks who like friendly outdoor events featuring food trucks, artisan vendors, vintage items and other interesting waresto purchase, Equality Park After Dark in Broward is a free event. Equality Park After Dark events in 2025 are usually 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. select third Thursdays, including February 20, with free parking. The venue is …

Wear your beads. Hollywood Mardi Gras offers its version of the festive event especially famous in New Orleans. Entry is free for the street festival. The event in 2025 is 1 p.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday, February 25, at Hollywood Boulevard off 19th and 20th Avenues, Hollywood 33020. The Mardi Gras event includes live music, …

If you’re thinking about going out for dinner, perhaps you’ll venture to a park. Food truck fare is featured at Volunteer Park in Plantation. Food trucks are at the park 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, and usually include live entertainment or a DJ, activities and local artisan vendors if you’d like to do some …

Dance, symphony and vocal performances are among the array of free events at Baily Hall theater in Davie. For many events, tickets are not required. Entry is offered while seating is available. Some events require reservations. Events in 2025 include: 2 p.m. January 26: Boyd Meets Girl musical duo, RSVP online 2 p.m. Sunday, February …

Free Tunes ‘N Trucks outdoor events in Sunrise offer free concerts and dining options from your favorite food trucks. The popular series runs October through June and rotates through Sunrise parks. Live music is at 7 p.m. and the venues offer free parking. Food trucks set up at 6 p.m. Tunes ‘N Trucks in 2025 …

Free rides. Live music from regional bands. Those and other enticing features are part of the Butterfly Festival in Coconut Creek. The Butterfly Festival in 2025 is 2 p.m. to to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, February 22, and entry is free. The event includes: Keith as Kenny, a Kenny Chesney tribute band business expo vendors, including …

Flippers theater in Hollywood features $5 ticket deals. Flippers movie theater and arcade offers $5 movies Wednesdays. The deal does not apply to new releases, special showings or 3D movies. The $5 offer does not apply to holidays. Flippers theater and arcade is at 7001 Taft St., Hollywood 33024. Sign up for the South …

Welleby Park in Sunrise is sporting fun features. For kids, amenities include a nature-theme splash pad for wet fun, a playground with a rubberized safety surface, and a Safety Town play area. For a stroll, a boardwalk runs along a lake. Dogs are welcome to nose around Pawgrass Dog Park. Welleby Park, 954-747-4600, is at …

For folks who sign up for the free Family rewards program at Ikea, participating restaurants in the home goods stores offers deals. Ikea Restaurant deals include: Mondays $3 for 8-piece Veggie Ball & Plant Ball plates, requires Family Rewards ID, while the promotion is offered Tuesdays 50% off adult entrees, requires Family Rewards ID Wednesdays …