Fire Island Black Out (FIBO, www.fireislandblackout.com) recently disclosed some of its plans for its eagerly-anticipated ninth annual sojourn to the beach, its “signature event,” scheduled for August 12 to 14, which organizers describe as “a multi-cultural weekend celebration for the GLBT community and their families and friends, [a] … beach weekend [which] focuses on diversity, community, and friendship. EVERYONE regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation,” the announcement continues, “is invited to attend and enjoy FIBO!!” Events take place in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, and Cherry Grove, Fire Island.

The host hotel, located not far from the Sayville Ferry to Fire Island, is the Hilton Garden Inn, in Ronkonkoma, which is offering special room rates of $139 per night, through April 15, and $159 per night, between April 16 and July 16, for those attending FIBO. “Rooms are going quickly,” FIBO warns.

FIBO events in Cherry Grove, on August 13, include live entertainment, featuring a nationally renowned recording artist; beach volleyball; HER Poetry Slam by the Sea; HER Happy Hour; the Best Tent contest; HIS Ultimate Dating Game; HIS Happy Hour; the Vision Awards Reception; and the Bump & Dip Dance and pool party. Check the FIBO web site for purchasing and pricing information, for VIP or General Admission to the events, which will be available in the spring

FIBO donates 100 percent of its net proceeds to charity and this year’s beneficiaries are the Black AIDS Institute (www.blackaids.org) and the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Greater Than AIDS movement (www.greaterthan.org), which with FIBO, have developed the FIBO > AIDS campaign.

Philadelphia Attorney James Wellons is the President and CEO of FIBO.