Photo: courtesy of Pride Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale will be filled with festive characters, colorful floats, fashion shows, and entertainment to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
For the first time in the city of Fort Lauderdale, the event will be held along its beach to welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, no binary and queer attendees and their friends. More than 120,000 visitors are expected to attend.
“Having a parade unifies people, promotes camaraderie and allows people to feel free to be themselves in a safe environment,” said Richard Gray, vice president of diversity and inclusion of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Pride kicked off with a fashion show at the Hard Rock Event Center on Thursday with Bravo's Project Runway alumni. On Friday, guests received invites to party in Wilton Manors and weekend festivities include, a march on Saturday, located at 1100 Seabreeze Blvd. The big bash ends Sunday with American Idol's drag queen finalist Ada Vox, and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Todrick Hall set to entertain the crowd.
One of the event's grand marshals will be Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a transgender activist. Dean Trantalis, the city's first openly gay mayor, will also be there to show his support.
"There's no other more beautiful place to celebrate Pride than along the beach," says J.W. Arnold, co-executive director for the event. "The LGBT+ community is an asset to Greater Fort Lauderdale, and we are so grateful to the city and county for showing their support for us."
For additional details on 2019 Pride Fort Lauderdale February 21-24th, 2019 visit, pridefortlauderdale.org. Admission is free.