Pride month is filled with parades from coast to coast. But what about parades up and down the coasts? There may be a few, but the biggest one is FLoatarama, this Saturday along the New River in Fort Lauderdale.

“Similar to past years but bigger than ever,” FLoatarama President Scott Schramm said. The event was created during pandemic quarantine. When public health emphasized outdoor social distancing, a boat parade was the perfect substitute in a year when Prides were canceled.

Now in its fourth year, FLoatarama continues and has grown into an event that serves as the kickoff for Pride week.

“I’m always thrilled that the Stonewall group allows us to kick off the month. We incorporate water, our love of the city, and the philanthropy of our group,” Schramm said.

Nicknamed the Venice of the Americas, Fort Lauderdale’s waterways make this the perfect place for a premier water event. Boats can sign up through the end of business Friday. Entrants take pride in fitting their boats with colorful and creative decorations.

Like all good parades, there will be prizes.

“We’re gonna have a flotilla of highly decorated boats going down the New River. There will be judging and prizes. It’s a way to take your private boat, be part of a parade, be part of celebrating pride on the water, and add awareness to our community.”

FLoatarama is also upping its VIP experience. There are double the amounts of VIP seats on the main boat, where Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will preside as grand marshal.

“Last year we had two boats with a total capacity of 200. That sold out so this year we decided to get a 131’ boat with 400 people on board.”

Once on board, lunch, and drinks will be provided by Hunters Nightclub.

People with VIP passes need to arrive by noon at GALLERYone Doubletree at 2670 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale. Due to construction, there is no parking. People are being told to use ride-share.