Introduction to Pompano Beach, Florida
The Florida city of Pompano Beach, located in the northern portion of Broward County, lies along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean about 8 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. Centrally located in Florida's famous Gold Coast, the city is situated approximately midway between Miami and Palm Beach (about 35 miles away from each). Pompano Beach is serviced by both Interstate I-95 and the Florida Turnpike.
Named for a species of fish (pompano) which swims abundantly in the area's warm Atlantic waters, the city was originally inhabited by the Tequesta Indians, who survived on the subtropical land by living in villages near the ocean and feasting on its abundant sea life. European colonization eventually led to the destruction of the Tequesta way of life, and the Tribe was replaced in the area by the Seminoles. Until the arrival of the railroad in 1896, the region was not linked to the rest of the nation but after this time the municipality grew and the city of Pompano became incorporated in 1908. In 1947, Pompano officially merged with the beach area to its east to become the city of Pompano Beach. The city today relies on tourism, light manufacturing, retail and high technology as its principal industries.
Events and Entertainment in Pompano Beach
Beach goers, fishermen and golfers find living or vacationing in Pompano Beach a dream come true. Over three miles of white pristine beaches combined with an abundance of some of the world's most beautiful and challenging links just minutes away make it easy to see why thousands of visitors flock to the area annually. In addition to an almost unlimited supply of outdoor recreational options, the city also hosts a number of annual events and festivals, including the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo, a week-long May event attracting anglers from around the world who participate in one of the largest sport fishing tournaments in south Florida. December's Holiday Boat Parade features prizes and awards for "best dressed" boats and also includes a ride down the Intracoastal Waterway featuring food, drinks and fun.
Among the city's other attractions are the Pompano Beach Amphitheatre, an open-air venue which has served as host site for numerous outdoor concerts. Also in town is the Goodyear Blimp Base, home base of the famous blimp and one of only four blimp bases in the world. Bargain hunters should head to the Festival Flea Market Mall, housing more than 800 stores, booths and kiosks selling discounted brand name merchandise. Two miles north of Pompano Beach is Lighthouse Point, home of Hillsboro Light, a decades-old lighthouse which is the brightest in the southeast.
Those whose fun consists of spectator sports won't be disappointed with the Pompano Beach area. The city offers year-round horse racing at the world famous Pompano Harness Track. In nearby Miami, baseball fans can migrate to Pro Player Stadium, home of Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins. Football fans can follow the exploits of the Miami Dolphins as they host the NFL's best, while fans of indoor sports can take in some major league hockey (NHL's Florida Panthers, who play in nearby Sunrise) and basketball (NBA's Miami Heat).
