The sun will beat down and a DJ will be dropping beats as the fifth annual FLoatarama flotilla wends its way through Fort Lauderdale’s waterways. America’s biggest Pride on water, according to organizers, has quickly become a staple of South Florida Pride month.
Boats festooned with rainbow bunting and blaring music will make their way from downtown Fort Lauderdale on the New River to the ICW and head north. Private and commercial boats begin the ride at 1:30 p.m. at Esplanade Park on June 8.
The VIP boat, packed with 450 seamen ready to party, will board Yacht Catalina GALLERYone hotel starting at 11:15 and set sail at 11:45, sharp. Organizers say once they leave, that ship has sailed.
On board Yacht Catalina, FayWhat?! will host the party and will likely be heard on shore as well, as she is always loud and proud of her community. “I’m beyond excited,” she said. “There’s usually about 30 boats, and I love to see the representation. You see different people, different likes.”
She has great memories from past flotillas. “There was a dancers’ boat one year. People were dressed up in different outfits doing different routines.”
FayWhat?! will be sharing space on Yacht Cantina with FLoatarama’s grand marshal, Sam Lantz. He finished third in “Squid Game: The Challenge,” but he’s also a Broward County resident who moved here to help open Eagle Wilton Manors. Standing about 6’7” with his long trademark beard, he’ll be easy to spot.
“Every June is my birthday and Pride,” Lantz said. “Those are two of my favorite things. Just being able to be a big part of Pride, and not just a spectator, excites me. Knowing that I will be part of the fuel for that excitement and show the world we are just happy-go-lucky people.” You can watch his full interview on our YouTube channel, OutSFLLive.
“We are very excited to have Sam Lantz proudly serve as the 2024 Grand Marshal for FLoatarama,” founder Scott Schramm said. “Sam’s struggles as a child and young adult is why the work of FLoatarama within our LGBTQ Youth community is so important. Our mission resonates with Sam’s focus on being a LGBTQ+ advocate.”
This event started in 2020 as a socially-distanced way to do a fun pride. It’s grown since then and is an up-and-coming philanthropic organization. Money raised from this year goes to the FLoatarama LGBTQ Youth Fund.
Tickets to the VIP boat and entry slots into the general parade are available at Floatarama.org.
