Rapper's 'float party' at beach raises concerns

ST. PETERSBURG (FOX 13) - Nearly 150,000 people have seen the invite put out by rapper Forgiato Blow on Facebook: "Forgiato Blow presents the Blue Wave Float Party!" the video shouts.

It's a chance to bring a float to the water behind the Don CeSar in St. Pete Beach, and meet rapper Forgiato Blow, a 31-year-old native of St. Petersburg and performer in more than a few music videos.

"I am always on the road," said Forgiato Blow, whose real name is Kurt Jantz. "I am never in the city too much. A lot of my fans feel like they can't touch me. They want to come out and spend time with me."

St. Pete Beach officials have seen the results of this float party hosted in Miami, by a different promoter.  An estimated 100,000 people showed up to that event, but they left the beach a mess.

"Naturally, that is very concerning for any city, particularly for a city of our size," said Mayor Maria Lowe.

Also concerning is that Blow has not taken out a permit, ordinarily required in St. Pete Beach for any gathering of more than 200 people.

"If I would have gone to go get a permit, they probably would have said you can't do something like this," he said, "they would have definitely turned me down for something as big as this."

The city is concerned over parking, safety, impact on the beach, the animals that nest there, and the number of available bathrooms. But with Blow pledging to follow through, the county will provide law enforcement on land, by boat and helicopter.

The FWC and volunteers will guard the nests.

Parking rules will be strictly enforced.

Any private property, like the Don CeSar, will be closely watched.  

"When anyone comes, we want to make sure their basic needs are provided for," she said.

Blow does say he is cooperating with city officials in one sense, that the people who come treat St. Pete Beach better than the floaters in Miami did.

"Police will be out there," he said. "Float at your own risk. You already know what it is, no drinking, no smoking, no fighting, and no drama."

Depending on who you ask, this is a great showcase for the beach

"That's how (our economy) survives, correct? Otherwise we wither and die," said one beachgoer.

Others say it's a huge risk.

"I feel like he is getting a free ride and using our beach for his own gain."

There is one other rule Forgiato wants to remind you of: This is a BYOF party.

"Bring your own float,” he said. "Come bring the float, if you don't bring the float, you are going to sink."

The mayor and Forgiato Blow have a lunch planned for 12:30 p.m. on Thursday where they will discuss the whole situation.  One topic will be Blow reimbursing the city and county for the expense of having the law enforcement on hand.

The Don CeSar had no comment.

The party is scheduled for 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.