Winter Party 2011 Photos & Report

Winter Party Festival was held March 2 - 7 in beautiful Miami Beach. This is an incredible event benefiting the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, so Out Traveler and Gay.com asked for a report. Well, we got it, just a little bit late. But don't judge our writer too harshly.

1. He's super hot and took photos
2. When the parties are this good, it sometimes takes a while to recover

Check out the report and enjoy.

Words by Jon Ray

It hadn’t been long since my last vacation but I knew that Winter Party Festival 2011 was something I wanted to go to for awhile. Being in the cold for the past three months I needed a break, and what better way than in the warm Florida sun, on world class beaches, attending good parties and, of course, meeting hot guys. The festival is a fundraiser put on by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and I was excited to see what they had in store for us this year.

After landing in Miami I headed over to the Z Ocean Hotel to check in. What an amazing spot for those of you who have never stayed there. I'll just say this, private rooftop Jacuzzi. I met my friends there and we headed over to the host hotel to check out the pool. It was a great Friday afternoon. The pool was buzzing with guys from all over the country and the music had people in a great mood to start off the weekend.

We decided to hit Mercury Rising at Dolce that night for some dancing with DJ Abel. Packed dance floor, amazing music and a very welcoming staff. The $85 cover at the door was a bit much, but the boys pay it so why not, I guess. The VIP wrist band for “all you could drink” was a very valuable addition this year, so the $135 was money well spent.

Saturday night was spent at the hotel party with people from all over that we had met.

Sunday was a rough wake up but we ventured over the The Palace across from where the beach party was being held around 12. WOW!! What a way to start the day. Absolutely amazing bar staff, drinks flowing, a drag performance on the sidewalk of Ocean Blvd. with a straight crowd larger than the gay crowd surrounding it. Drag queens dancing, wigs flying, stopping traffic, hysterical laughing, all culminating in a plus-size drag queen somersaulting down the sidewalk into the splits. A standing ovation from the crowd. One of the best shows I have ever seen.

  After a few more drinks we wandered over to the beach party, which at this point was in full swing. There were trampoline performers, vendors, great music from DJ Charimix, and plenty of hot boys running around. The dancing lasted for hours even though the weather was cloudy; fortunately, the rain held off.

Overall the weekend was a great success and I am glad I went. Seeing old friends from around the country, meeting new ones, relaxing in a wonderful city is something to remember.

I hope to go next year.

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