FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)’s 14th annual Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival raised more than $1.5 million to benefit 10 nonprofits that provide HIV/AIDS services in South Florida, the nation’s epicenter for HIV.

Multi Grammy award-winning reggae artist Shaggy, and Queen of bounce music Big Freedia joined a diverse lineup of performers at Fort Lauderdale’s South Beach Park on March 23 as a part of the spring break festivities.

The annual event kicked off with a 5K Walk culminating in the daylong music festival to raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS services throughout South Florida.

Joining the line-up with Shaggy and Big Freedia were rock-and-roll sensation, The Struts, Grammy-nominated duo, Coastcity, and South Florida’s own Deep Fried Funk Band.

The event presented by AHF, the largest nonprofit, global HIV/AIDS organization, helps to remind that HIV/AIDS is still impacting our community, by increasing the community’s awareness, education, and prevention efforts with the objective of reducing the spread of HIV.

Hosted by celebrity DJ’s Tracy Young and DJ Alex Ferbeyre and drag queen extraordinaire Kitty Meow, it attracted more than 3,000 attendees from across the region, including Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis.

“Given South Florida’s ranking nationally as the epicenter for HIV, we are pleased to present this annual event that both raises awareness about the HIV epidemic and significant dollars to support 10 nonprofit organizations that are entrenched in the community, working to address this devastating epidemic,” said Michael Kahane, AHF Southern Bureau chief.

“We thank all of the amazing performers, corporate partners, team captains, individuals raising funds and the thousands of attendees, for their support.”

Organizations benefiting from the 2019 event include: Aqua, Save, Poverello, The Pride Center At Equality Park, Latinos Salud, The World Aids Museum And Educational Center, Pridelines and the Urban League Of Broward County.