Rapper Iggy Azalea joined Elvis Duran, iHeart Radio Morning Show host and 2016 Grand Marshal, for the 8th Annual Miami Beach Gay Pride and Festival presented by GuyzApp.com on Sunday, April 10. Prior to the public event, Duran and Azalea hosted a VIP fundraiser for the LGBTQ community on Saturday night at the Wall Lounge at the W South Beach.
The three-day Pride weekend saw more than 130,000 spectators come out for the weekend’s festivities. More than 100 vendors stretched across Lummus Park with everything from food and cocktails, to charity organizations and merchandise for sale. There was a sell-out number of parade entries, including more than 70 parade contingencies, 27 floats and over 2,500 participants.
“We had the best turn out this year from sponsors to attendees and even participants,” said Dave Cook, Executive Director of Pride. “We hope to out do ourselves again next year. In order to do that we want to continue to diversify all aspects of Pride.”
In addition to Grand Marshal Duran and Azalea greeting a huge crowd of proud revelers, the youngest American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks, was the headline performer on Sunday, April 10, at the Guyzapp.com Main Stage in Lummus Park. Musical chameleon Ultra Naté performed and Italian Pop singer Osvaldo Supino made his U.S. debut, performing before Sparks on the stage.
Providing color commentary for the extremely colorful parade were emcees Adam Kuperstein, NBC6 anchor, and Tiffany Fantasia, Miss Miami Beach Gay Pride 2013. Celebrity judges for the “Best Float” award were NBC 6 reporter Stephanie Bertini, Telemundo 51 anchor Mariana Rodríguez and Fashion Correspondent FabuLouis. The judges awarded the “Best Float” trophy to the entry from Danny Jelaca Hair Salon. Second place went to Guyzapp.com and third place went to Twist.
Since its inception eight years ago, Miami Beach Gay Pride has grown from a neighborhood gathering to an event on the global stage with national brand sponsors and A-list performers. An estimated 15,000 spectators turned out for the first Pride parade in 2009, an estimated 100,000 attended the 2014 event and this year the event reached another milestone, attracting more than 130,000 over the three-day celebration. Miami Beach Gay Pride now draws attendance not only from South Florida, but also from throughout the world. Miami Beach Gay Pride has grown into the largest, free LGBTQ event of the year in Miami Beach.
Miami Beach Gay Pride was presented by Guyzapp.com and was produced with the support of Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority, AHF, Stoli, Brown-Forman Herradura, Impulse South Florida, Jackson Health Center, 103.5 The Beat, AARP, Atlantic Broadband, Barefoot, BB&T, Boucher Brothers, City of Miami Beach, Crunch, Delmay Corp., Durée & Co., Start Talking. Stop HIV, Greater Miami CVB, Hiro Shake, Jack Daniel’s, Lehman Auto World, LGBT Creative, Durée & Company Public Relations, MDGLCC, Mega 94, Men Music Fashion, My 93.9, NBC6, Palace Bar, Pride.com, Rent A Bartender, Source Events, TD Bank, Telemundo, Chevrolet, Twist, Uber, Vangauard, W Hotel South Beach, Washington Park Hotel, WET, Miami Beach Women’s Club, Y100, Aetna, Ambiente, Hi I’m Skinny, Florida Agenda, Gayborhood, Genre Latino, Hard Rock Cafe, Hot Spots!, The Island of the Bahamas, Mark’s List, Metro PCS, Miami Gay Blog, NEXT, Miami Herald Palette, Passport Magazine, South Florida Gay News, Spartacus International Gay Guide, Unity Coalition, Voss, Walgreens, and Wire Mag.
The mission of Miami Beach Gay Pride is to bring together members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, their friends, allies, and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of the LGBT community. Miami Beach Gay Pride produces free, safe, quality mass-appeal events that are open to all, including the Parade, Festival and allied Miami Beach Pride sanctioned events. Dates for the 2017 Miami Beach Gay Pride are April 7-9, 2017.
For ongoing information, or to become a sponsor for Miami Beach Gay Pride 2017, visit www.MiamiBeachGayPride.com or call 305-496-7635.