Our Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival will Go On

Dear neighbors,

The Wilton Manors annual Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival is undeniably one of the most anticipated events of the year, and no piece of legislation will change that.

If signed into law by the governor, SB 1438 will prohibit businesses from admitting children to adult live performances. Last week, the City Commission unanimously voted to amend the 2023 Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival Special Event Permit, requiring businesses to abide by Senate Bill (SB) 1438. This vote was necessary to protect our businesses, and to minimize the risk of receiving penalties, fines, and legal repercussions. The amended special event permit in no way bans or prohibits any member of our community from expressing themselves. It does, however, seek to ensure that adult performances take place where only adults are present.

Click here to read more about the proposed legislation and what constitutes an “adult live performance.”

Like you, I oppose legislation that limits LGBTQ+ rights, aims to suppress cultural experiences, and carries repercussions that threaten our democracy. What can we do? I will continue to advocate, vote, and use my voice to try to block future legislation like this. I encourage you to do the same. Here are the elected officials who represent Wilton Manors in Tallahassee. While they both certainly oppose legislation like SB 1438, please feel free to reach out to them to make your voice heard.

Click here to contact State Representative Daryl Campbell.

Click here to contact State Senator Jason Pizzo.

I can’t wait to see you all at this year’s Stonewall festivities on June 17th. This is our true celebration of Pride, of the work that has been done, and the advocacy we all need to commit to until the LGBTQ+ community is no longer marginalized. I am ready to make it our best Stonewall celebration yet and hope you are too!

Sincerely,

Mayor Scott Newton

Roadway Resurfacing Project Update

The City’s roadway resurfacing project is underway. Crews are currently working in the North-Central area of the City, between N. Andrews Avenue and NE 6 Avenue north of NE 26 Street, as well as in the Jenada Isle neighborhood. 

Once completed, crews will move to the South-Central area, between N. Andrews Avenue and NE 5th Avenue south of NE 26 Street, and the neighborhood west of N. Powerline Road. 

Temporary road markings will be used throughout the project and permanent elastomeric markings will be installed following a two-week asphalt curing period. The roadway resurfacing project is expected to be completed by June 30, 2023.

Questions? Please reach out to Emergency Management and Utilities Department Assistant Director Bert Fisher by calling (954) 390-2190 or emailing BFisher@wiltonmanors.com.

May is Mental Health Month

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults in the U.S. experiences mental illness. This month, we encourage you to check in with your and your loved ones' mental health. You ARE enough.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text the free Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

FEMA's Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) for Flooding Victims

FEMA is hosting two Mobile DRCs to provide information on applying for federal assistance and navigating the appeals process. The Mobile DRCs will be available May 17, 2023, through May 20, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Dania Beach Library and City Hall (100 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach, 33004) and at Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park (2520 NW 6th St., Fort Lauderdale, 33311).

Click here for more info on FEMA's Mobile Disaster Recovery Center in English.

Click here for more info on FEMA's Mobile Disaster Recovery Center in Spanish.

Click here for more info on FEMA's Disaster Recovery Center in Creole.

Broward Legislative Delegation's 2023 Session Recap

You are invited to join Chair Representative Patricia Williams, Vice Chair Senator Jason Pizzo, and members of the Broward Legislative Delegation on May 24, 2023, at 6:45 p.m. for a recap of the 2023 Legislative Session. This event will be held at Florida Atlantic University's Davie Campus (3200 College Avenue, Room SD 105, Davie, FL 33314) and is free to attend.

For questions, please call the Broward Legislative Delegation at (954) 357-6555 or email DelegationInfo@broward.org.

Click here for more info on the 2023 Broward Legislative Delegation.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

Classical Concert

May 18, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Don't forget, our free Classical Concert is this Thursday at the Hagen Park Community Center (2020 Wilton Drive) and will feature musicians Linda Rosenthal and Victor Santiago Asuncion from the Piatigorsky Foundation. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information on the Classical Concert, please call (954) 390-2130.

Click here to learn more about Linda Rosenthal.

Click here to learn more about Victor Santiago Asuncion.

Island City Canoe Race and Birthday Bash

May 20, 2023, at 10 a.m.

Our 30th Annual Island City Canoe Race is this Saturday at Richardson Historic Park (1937 Wilton Drive)! Following the canoe race, we will have a presentation of trophies and certificates of the Canoe Race winners and our birthday celebration, complete with a BBQ and DJ. The City's 75th anniversary time capsule will also be on display.

Click here for more info on the Island City Canoe Race.

City Commission Meeting

May 23, 2023, at 7 p.m.

The upcoming City Commission Meeting will be held in-person at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at City Hall (2020 Wilton Drive).

If you are unable to attend and would like to submit a public comment, email it to publiccomment@wiltonmanors.com before the start of the meeting. Please include your name and address in the email. All comments submitted by email shall be, if read orally, three (3) minutes or less. Public comments received by 6 p.m., before the start of the meeting, will be delivered to the Commission before the meeting and be part of the public record.

Click here to view City Commission Meeting agendas, minutes, and videos.

Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival

June 17, 2023, from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

To commemorate the 54th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, the City will host its annual Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival. The street festival will kick off at 3 p.m. followed by the twilight parade at 7 p.m.

Click here for more info on the Stonewall Pride Parade and Street Festival.

General admission tickets and VIP packages are now on sale. 

Click here to purchase your tickets.

Vendor space and sponsorship opportunities are on a first-come first-served basis. 

Click here to learn about vendor opportunities.

Click here to learn about sponsorship opportunities.