By David Garrick / San Diego U-T / Feb. 17-18, 2025
San Diego officials are cracking down on an illegal float party held each July on Mission Bay, sending the organizers a $54,000 invoice to cover lifeguard rescues and crowd control by police and park rangers.
The goal of the invoices is to discourage organizers from hosting a fifth annual Festival of Floats, an event where hundreds of people congregate on flotation devices in Mission Bay’s northwest corner.
City officials say the event, where many participants drink alcohol, is chaotic, dangerous and typically requires many rescues and extreme vigilance by police and rangers.
There is no admission charge for the event, which is called “Floatopia” by some participants. But organizers, who promote the event on various social media platforms, include links to buy floats and other related products.
By David Garrick / San Diego U-T / Feb. 17-18, 2025
San Diego officials are cracking down on an illegal float party held each July on Mission Bay, sending the organizers a $54,000 invoice to cover lifeguard rescues and crowd control by police and park rangers.
The goal of the invoices is to discourage organizers from hosting a fifth annual Festival of Floats, an event where hundreds of people congregate on flotation devices in Mission Bay’s northwest corner.
City officials say the event, where many participants drink alcohol, is chaotic, dangerous and typically requires many rescues and extreme vigilance by police and rangers.
There is no admission charge for the event, which is called “Floatopia” by some participants. But organizers, who promote the event on various social media platforms, include links to buy floats and other related products.