Press Releases
“No One Walks Alone” – Boca’s Walk4Friendship Returns March 1
Walk4Friendship 2026 Returns to Boca Raton for Fourth Year, Celebrating Disability Awareness, Inclusion and Communal Unity.
Annual walk and carnival expected to draw over 1,000 attendees in support of individuals with special needs.
February 3rd, 2026
This year, Friendship House Boca is again hosting Walk4Friendship, the organization’s flagship community event, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at South County Regional Park. Now in its fourth year, Walk4Friendship has become a cornerstone event in Boca Raton, bringing together families, volunteers, sponsors, and community members to celebrate inclusion, friendship, and belonging for individuals with special needs. This year’s theme, “As One – One Step. One Heart. One Community,” reflects the powerful message that when we walk together as one, no one walks alone.
“Walk4Friendship has become a true community celebration that breaks down walls of isolation and builds bridges of friendship,” said Rabbi Sholom Kessler, Executive Director of Friendship House Boca. “Last year, over 900 community members joined us, and this year we’re expecting more than 1,000 attendees. This growth reflects our community’s commitment to creating a more inclusive future for people of all abilities.”
Free and open to the public, the Walk4Friendship Boca supports the Friendship House’s programming, which includes weekly social circles, sports activities, holiday events and family workshops. The organization serves over 70 special friends and engages dozens of teenage and community volunteers each year, who gain experience in empathy, leadership, and inclusive community building. This past year, Friendship House hosted its inaugural Tour de Friendship, a 60-mile charity bike ride from Boca Raton to Palm Beach along scenic A1A, successfully raising funds and awareness for children and young adults with special needs in South Florida.
The Walk4Friendship will begin at 10:00am, with check-in, registration, and complimentary t-shirt pickup, followed by an opening ceremony and 1-mile family walk beginning at 11. From 12 to 2pm, families can enjoy the Grand Community Carnival featuring the Aim High Canines Show, a live DJ, axe throwing, rock climbing wall, a petting zoo, Kona Ice Truck, bounce houses, trackless train, pony rides, face painting, caricature artists, bungee trampoline, obstacle course, and food available for purchase.
Registration and Sponsorship Information
Registration is free and can be done online through February 27 at walk4friendshipboca.com. Individuals and families are encouraged to register early to secure their complimentary Walk4Friendship t-shirt. Over $100,000 was raised at the 2025 Walk4Friendship, and this year’s goal has been raised to $150,000. Corporate sponsorships are available, ranging from Bronze Partner ($1,000+) to Title Partner ($36,000+), with benefits including logo placement, recognition in marketing materials, and vendor space at the event.
“This event exemplifies what’s possible when a community comes together,” added Rabbi Kessler. “Our sponsors, volunteers, and participants create an atmosphere where every individual is valued and celebrated. The impact extends far beyond one day—it transforms lives year-round.”
Event Details:
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Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
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Location: South County Regional Park – Sunset Cove Amphitheater and Pavilion
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Time: 10:00 AM registration; 11:00 AM opening ceremony and walk; 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM carnival
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Cost: Free and open to the public (donations accepted)
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Parking: Ample parking available at Sunset Cove Pavilion/Amphitheater
Contact: For more information, visit walk4friendshipboca.com or contact Friendship House at (561) 576-1650 or info@bocafriendship.com
About Friendship House Boca: Founded in 2020, Friendship House provides social, educational, and recreational experiences for individuals with special needs in Boca Raton, and surrounding communities. Co-directed by Rabbi Sholom Kessler and his wife Itta, the Friendship House was founded on the belief that every person deserves friendship, support, and inclusion, Friendship House creates a seamless circle of connection between special friends, families, volunteers, staff, and supporters. Friendship House draws inspiration from the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory, who taught that none of us are complete unless all are included. For more information, visit bocafriendship.com.
Recent outcomes demonstrate the Friendship House’s impact:
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100% of participants report feeling more included in the community
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100% of parents report Friendship House provides the support they value
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81% of parents report reduced stress levels due to their child’s participation
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94% of parents and volunteers report improved socialization skills among participants
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100% of volunteers report an improved sense of purpose and more inclusive view of others
Miami Swim Week is about to get even more immersive. On Sunday, May 31 at 2:00 PM, designer Lila Nikole will present The Golden Standard: Amazonia Experience at Tequila Town in Miami, debuting a new collaboration with Platinum FUBU during one of fashion’s biggest weekends in South Florida.
May 15, 2026
Inspired by the richness and mystique of the Brazilian rainforest, the presentation moves beyond the traditional runway format and into a cinematic, multi sensory experience where fashion, storytelling, music, and visual artistry come together in one space.
Known for her bold and culture driven design aesthetic, Lila Nikole transforms the venue into what organizers describe as a living narrative filled with character led moments and immersive visual storytelling. The event will also introduce a limited edition Lila Nikole x Platinum FUBU collection, marking a new chapter for both brands.
“This collaboration is incredibly personal for me,” says Lila Nikole. “Growing up in Queens, FUBU was more than a brand, it was a cultural force that shaped my earliest connection to fashion and identity. To now partner with a label that played such a pivotal role in my journey feels truly full circle.”
The collection reimagines Platinum FUBU’s iconic legacy through Lila Nikole’s creative lens, blending the brand’s signature identity with a modern, luxury focused perspective.
The event also coincides with the continued expansion of Platinum FUBU, the designer driven evolution of the iconic label known for its premium materials and fashion forward silhouettes.
Adding to the atmosphere, Miami based cultural partner Miamibloco will feature Bateria Saideira, described as the largest Rio style samba percussion orchestra in the United States. Music throughout the experience will also include sounds by DJ Dinero and DJ Trauma.
Rather than separating guests from the presentation, the experience is intentionally designed to feel intimate and barrier free. Attendees will move throughout the space while engaging directly with the craftsmanship, textures, and details that define both Lila Nikole’s aesthetic and Platinum FUBU’s luxury direction.
Event Details
What: The Golden Standard: Amazonia Experience by Lila Nikole in collaboration with Platinum FUBU
When: Sunday, May 31, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Where: Tequila Town, 4710 NW 37th Ave, Miami, FL 33142
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Set across from the restored rainbow crosswalk, this Ocean Drive favorite is once again becoming the heart of Miami Beach Pride.
April 8, 2026
As Miami Beach Pride 2026 returns to Ocean Drive this April, Palace Bar Miami Beach is once again set to be one of the biggest centers of the celebration. Known for its drag shows, open-air dining, and longtime place in South Florida’s LGBTQ+ community, Palace will host a full schedule of Pride Week events while standing directly across from one of the most meaningful new symbols of the weekend: the restored rainbow crosswalk in Miami Beach.
On Friday, April 10, the City of Miami Beach will unveil the rebuilt LGBTQIA+ rainbow crosswalk in Lummus Park, just steps from the Palace on Ocean Drive. The installation was recreated using 3,606 salvaged pavers from the original 2009 crosswalk, giving the city a renewed and permanent symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility, unity, and pride. Its location across from the Palace makes the venue a natural backdrop for one of the most talked-about moments of Miami Beach Pride 2026.
That visibility is nothing new for Palace. Owned by Tom Donall, a co-founder of Miami Beach Pride, Palace has spent nearly four decades building its reputation as one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ venues in Miami Beach. For locals and visitors alike, it has become a go-to destination for drag entertainment, brunch, nightlife, and community on Ocean Drive.
This year’s Palace Bar Miami Beach Pride lineup runs from April 8 through April 12 and includes some of the week’s biggest events. The schedule features the Miami Beach Pride Pageant on April 8, the Haus of Gucci Ball on April 10, and a full weekend of brunches, rooftop events, performances, and DJ sets from Oscar Velasquez and Jrny. Pride weekend will close on Sunday, April 12, with a major final celebration featuring DJ Dani Brasil and appearances by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Jimbo and Trinity the Tuck.
With the return of the rainbow crosswalk and a major lineup of performances and events, Palace is positioned to be one of the defining destinations of Miami Beach Pride 2026. The venue continues to bring together nightlife, performance, and LGBTQ+ culture in a way that feels both celebratory and deeply rooted in Miami Beach’s history.
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