Florida Panthers

Panthers fans get drenched as they await Stanley Cup beach celebration. See the scenes

By Miami Herald Staff

It rained on the Florida Panthers’ parade.

But, to those in attendance, it didn’t seem to matter one bit.

The National Weather Service forecasters predicted that Fort Lauderdale would experience showers and thunderstorms just as the parade kicked off at 11 a.m. The rainy weather arrived a little earlier than that, as early morning downpours drenched fans as they arrived to get the best viewing spots.

Rain drops fall off of the hat of Florida Panthers fan Brian Vazquez as he seeks cover under a balcony at Elbo Room as it started to storm in a Fort Lauderdale beach before the Florida Panthers victory parade before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. 
Rain drops fall off of the hat of Florida Panthers fan Brian Vazquez as he seeks cover under a balcony at Elbo Room as it started to storm in a Fort Lauderdale beach before the Florida Panthers victory parade before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale.  Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

“It’s a big deal,” said Fort Lauderdale mayor Dean Trantalis. “You don’t get to experience the success of the Florida Panthers and Stanley Cup [often]. The economic impact is immeasurable. All the hotel rooms are already booked.”

A Florida Panthers fan Kenny Shane, left, who got here from from Stuart at 3:30 and was the first one here, cheers outside of Elbo room “slept in my Jeep in the garage” before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. 
A Florida Panthers fan Kenny Shane, left, who got here from from Stuart at 3:30 and was the first one here, cheers outside of Elbo room “slept in my Jeep in the garage” before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale.  Alie Skowronski askowronski@miamiherald.com

Here are the scenes from Sunday’s celebration:

The rain didn’t stop Panthers fans as they huddled under shelter before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. 
The rain didn’t stop Panthers fans as they huddled under shelter before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale.  Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com
Panthers fans covered from the rain with an umbrella as they walk by from the rain with umbrellas as they walk by A1A before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale.
Panthers fans covered from the rain with an umbrella as they walk by from the rain with umbrellas as they walk by A1A before the Stanley Cup victory parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Panthers fans walk in the rain on A1A before the Stanley Cup Victory Parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale.
Panthers fans walk in the rain on A1A before the Stanley Cup Victory Parade at Fort Lauderdale Beach on Tuesday, June 30, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale. Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
The rain didn’t stop the Panther’s championship celebration as Ryan Lomberg, center, hypes the rain-soaked fans as the double-decker makes its way south on A1A after winning the Stanley Cup during the parade in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
The rain didn’t stop the Panther’s championship celebration as Ryan Lomberg, center, hypes the rain-soaked fans as the double-decker makes its way south on A1A after winning the Stanley Cup during the parade in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, June 30, 2024. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com

This story was originally published June 30, 2024 at 11:20 AM.

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