Fort Lauderdale, known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, transformed into a floating rainbow wonderland for the 2024 Floatarama VIP boat cruise-party-bacchanal yesterday. The Catalina, a two-level floating wedding venue, was marvelously tricked out in rainbow colors, glitter, and, of course, an abundance of booze.

Over 450 enthusiastic participants boarded the ship from the Gallery One Hotel at Sunrise, ready to set sail under sunny skies. Excitement was palpable as the gangplank was pulled up and the Catalina began its journey along the Intracoastal. But in true South Florida fashion, the weather had a surprise in store. A fierce storm rolled in, bringing rough waters, dark clouds, and heavy rain. Despite the downpour, spirits remained high thanks to ample quantities of booze and platters of food that kept everyone busy and happy for the hour or so of bad weather.

Downstairs, Mayor Dean Trantalis held court at the below-decks bar, while the younger, muscular, skimpily-clad attendees kept the party alive upstairs. MC Fay What? and DJ Bomi, got the crowd moving with a high-energy mix of pop anthems and dance hits.

As the storm began to subside, the hunky bears of "Cape Ann Marine Towing" took control of the vessel for the delicate process of towing it in reverse up the narrow and crowded New River through the canyons of Fort Lauderdale's downtown towers. Miraculously, the sun broke out just as the towing began, and the party moved into high gear. Suddenly, to quote the Weather Girls, it was "Raining Men" as hundreds of high-spirited revelers massed onto the open decks to dance. Onlookers waved rainbow flags from balconies and breezeways along the route, adding to the festive atmosphere.

The Catalina made its way to Old Riverside Historic Park, where a somewhat diminished-by-weather flotilla of rainbow boats with skippers and crew had gathered. Now moving again in a forward direction, the entire parade made its way swiftly back through the downtown canyons, passing under raised drawbridges for a speedy, prideful, and colorful trip back to the homeport, Gallery One Hotel.