Florida Aquarium’s World Ocean Day event benefits marine wildlife programs

Blue Lagoon cocktails and a sea of hors d’oeuvres awaited the Florida Aquarium supporters at the World Ocean Day Soirée on June 8, where lobster rolls, spicy scallop ceviche, a tropical fruit bar and much more surrounded a silent auction on the rooftop terrace.

A sloth named Apaporis joined the party; followed by Nuru, a South African penguin wearing his natural “tuxedo.”

As for most of the 100-plus guests on that blazing hot evening, cocktail attire meant breezy dresses, polo shirts and shorts.

Everyone boarded the Bay Spirit II for the second half of the event, an hour-long dessert cruise and sunset salute along the Hillsborough River, accompanied by a steel drum musician’s lively island beats. The event raised more than $85,000 for marine wildlife programs.