Anyone ever been to the Ft. Lauderdale Winterfest Boat Parade?

I want to take my family to see the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Parade this year, but I've never been and I'm not sure what the best way would be to go about it. I know there is tickets available for grandstand seating in Hugh Taylor State Park, as well as the possibility of bringing blankets/chairs and finding a spot along the seawall in the state park as well. The problem is that we won't have all day to stake out a spot (my husband is in graduate school, and we have two small kids who will tire of sitting out for hours on end reserving a spot.) I also know there are some hotels hosting viewing events, but those are too expensive for us. Are there any less crowded public viewing areas? Is most of the new river off of Las Olas packed with people during the parade? Are the tickets for grandstand worth the cash ($21 adults, and $16 for kids)? Will buying tickets save us a lot of time vs. trying to find another spot to watch it? Also, approx how long does the parade go for?

The viewing area is nice as all boats stop in front of the stands to be judged & viewed plus you can hear the music and commentators and all the other activity that happens there and you have a place to sit. If the cost is an issue, the show can been seen anywhere along the canal, go to any cross street & you will find everybody in the neighborhood on lawn chairs All drawbridges are in the "up" position for the round trip duration of the parade. The show should take about an hour but times vary & there are gaps between boats as they often move at different speeds. The kids may find that part dull. The farther north from the starting point the longer it will take for the boats to get there. Don't bother trying to "stake" a spot, it is not necessary, it is very easy to view.

Note; The next day, Sunday Dec 13, is the Pompano Beach Boat Parade, many of the boats will be in both parades. A good free viewing spot is the park at the 14th street Causeway & the Intercoastal.