What was once a quirky day at the beach has grown into a week-long event of community events including parties at bars along Wilton Drive.

FlockFest’s main event, the inflated, flamingo-filled flotilla is July 8, but the parties are already well underway.

The final pre check-in party is Thursday at LIT bar from 5-9 p.m. But that’s just the end of the beginning. Also Thursday night is the Leather & Feather party at Eagle starting at 9 p.m.

Friday night everyone will flock to Hunters Nightclub with DJ Ed Talks for Flock the Block, starting at 7 p.m. As fun as the night promises to be, people may want to head home early and be prepared for the big, still quirky, day at the beach.

The event’s growth has been restrained but steady.

“Over the eight years we’ve been doing this, it keeps building on itself,” FlockFest Founder and Executive Director Steven Crawford said. “We focus on getting our brand out there.”

Flock Fun

Steven and his team of volunteers will hit the beach Friday and start setting up what they can, such as tent and cabana frames. Once the beach is checked for sea turtle nests at 6 a.m. Saturday, they will go in and do final preparations.

The busiest area will be The Birdcage, home of the inflation station. They’ll have about 500 inflatables for guests to gently ride into the Atlantic. There will also be two bar tents, which will house inflatable bars. The crew is excited because these are not only perfect for an event at a beach, they can also be loaned to other nonprofits for their events.

And like flamingos will fill the ocean, cabanas will fill the beach. 75 tents, nearly double what they had last year, are booked up. The cabanas are in for a makeover. A cabana decorating contest will be held, with one of the judges being FayWhat?!. The host of The FayWhat?! show on Happening Out Television Network told OutSFL what she’s looking for in a cool cabana.

“Grab me! Let there be something about your cabana that I gravitate to. It could be vibrant colors, it could be lights, it could be textures, fragrance. Make me obsessed with your cabana and you're gonna get the highest points from me, for sure!”

There are a few other upgrades this year, including solid (as opposed to inflatable) furniture, more of a party area in front of the DJ, and other little details. Mixing among the crowd will be Andrew Christian models and FayWhat?! hosting all afternoon in the entertainment tent.

“When I think about FlockFest events, I think about an organization that throws events to help other organizations. I just love that. That mission statement just screams to my heart. I love the entire crew over there.”

If those events leave you all flocked up, Sunday will be the Flamingo Splash pool party.

Saturday and Sunday events are all sold out. But with a little luck, you can still go. You can win FlockFest tickets Thursday at the pre check-in party during LIT Drag Bingo or get tested at Midland for pool party tickets.

Hundreds of people work with FlockFest all year, and Crawford wants everyone to know they are key. “We all work cohesively as a family with the same goal in mind: to have fun while helping others via charitable fundraising. Each one of us brings talent, skills, and professional experience to the table. This is what makes FlockFest what it is today."

FlockFest Week

Thursday

Pre Check-in Party LIT Wilton 

5 to 8 p.m.

Leather & Feather 

Eagle – Wilton Manors

9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Friday

Flock The Block Hunters – Wilton Manors 

7 to 11 p.m.

Saturday

The Main Event

Fort Lauderdale Beach

11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday  

Flamingo Splash

Fort Lauderdale

Noon to 5 p.m.

Upcoming

July 28 

One Magical Drive 

Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors

7 to 10 p.m.

July 30 to Aug. 6 

Amsterdam Pride Cruise 2023

Riverboat Cruise, Basel, Switzerland

Visit FlockFestEvents.org/upcomingevents for more info.