Boat parades are a seasonal spectacle
Issue 81 : Nov/Dec 2011
Spectacular water parades are held up and down the coasts of North America every Thanksgiving and Christmas season. These family parades welcome the holidays brightly with boats gliding by, their colored lights reflected in local waterways. Powerboats, kayaks, and sailboats cruise past thousands of people lining the shores. Seaside homes host boat parade parties, and people wave and offer toasts as the boats sparkle past, their hulls and rigging strung with tiny lights. In keeping with the season, the voices of carolers enhance the holiday ambience and Santa makes a welcome appearance for the youngsters.
Why not sail your way into this annual parade of holiday boats? Boat owners can join in the fun as part of the parade or just cruise over to the parade area, drop anchor, and enjoy the spectacle of the passing fleet. If you decide to decorate your vessel and become part of the show, there will be forms to fill out and basic rules to adhere to before you can be approved. At many events there are prizes to be won. Contact your local boat parade administrator for details.
Boats of different sizes are given designated start times, and are often assigned numbers and line up accordingly. Restrictions, instructions, and specific information about the parade route (such as the heights of any bridges it passes under) are available for boat captains in advance. Safety is of utmost importance; captains will be informed of any participant meetings they must attend before receiving final approval to join a parade. Participants are typically expected to sign a waiver and release form holding harmless the boat parade association for any loss, accident, or injury.
Whether you live on the West Coast, Gulf Coast, or East Coast, you can enjoy some fabulous boat parades. Most are free to the public. At some events, boat owners pay a fee to take part, but spectator boats need only find an anchoring spot in a clear patch of water.
To view a parade from the shore, you might find spectator areas in waterfront parks or on public piers. In some locations, waterfront restaurants have picture windows overlooking the waterways, or the parade route passes waterfront hotels or condominiums. If you prefer to watch from a restaurant table, make your reservations early, as participating waterfront restaurants fill up fast.
However you choose to view a parade, do your research. You might find designated parking areas are arranged and ancillary events organized to fill an evening, or even a whole day, with festivities.
Follow the “More online” link to see a list of just some of the popular holiday boat parades that are held in communities on the East, West, and Gulf coasts of the U.S., as well as in Canada and on inland waters.
Dee Dee McNeil is an educator, freelance journalist, music columnist, poet, songwriter, and playwright. Her travel articles have appeared in Pathfinders Travel magazine. Find her at www.deedeemac.com.
Thank you to Sailrite Enterprises, Inc., for providing free access to back issues of Good Old Boat through intellectual property rights. Sailrite.com
