Come Enjoy One of Our
Annual Holiday Boat Parades
Posted December 06, 2009
Looking for something fun for the family to do this festive time of the year ? The Sarasota - Bradenton area offers many family-fun events. One of them is the Bradenton Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade. Come see, or, if you have a boat, take part in the Annual
Bradenton Yacht Club Holiday Boat parade. The cities of Sarasota and Venice also host spectacular boat parades this time of year.
The Bradenton Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade occurs each year on the Manatee River. There is no entry fee and participation is open to all.
To get involved with your own boat, you just need to attend the mandatory captain's meeting on the previous Monday and then decorate your boat and show up on December 12th.
Aimee Choquette, chairwoman for the Bradenton event this year spoke of the many awards available. For those entering for the first time and hoping to win one of the awards, she noted that
there are, of course, the typical judging categories for things like boat size, best corporate entry and best theme boat. But, she also mentioned that there are usually also "surprise awards"
that may be given for things like the liveliest crew or other attributes that strike the judges fancy at the time.
There will be several locations for spectator viewing at the yacht club as well as along the river.
The parade will end at the Bradenton Yacht Club where the decorated boats will be on display for judging and participating boat captains and their crews will enjoy a VIP celebration among all the hoopla and family-fun activities
including music by Backyard Bone and a visit by Santa.
The Sarasota Christmas Boat Parade of Lights, now in its 23rd year, will be held on December 12, 2008 at 6:00PM. The best areas for viewing are Bayfront Park, City Island and Centennial Park.
Entries will be judged in 6 categories: Private: 30' and under, Private: 31'-50', Private 51' and over. Corporate/Business: 35' and under and Corporate 36' and over. The trophy for the "Most Creative" entry will be displayed for one year at Marina Jack restaurant.
Awards and trophies will be awarded at a ceremony at Marina Jack at 8:30pm following the parade.
The Venice Boat Parade of Lights, held this year on December 5th, has been held every year since 1989 with the decorated boats becoming more spectacular every year.
Holiday boat parades, like so many other events that occur during all seasons of the year, are examples of why the Sarasota Sun Coast
is such a wonderful place to live. Other delightful events this time of year include the Selby Gardens "Lights in Bloom," a spectacular display of colorful lights and a wide range of entertainment, the annual Pineapple Drop at Midnight on New Years’ Eve in downtown Sarasota,
The PAL Sailor's Circus and the Siesta Key Beach Snowbirds Fine Arts & Crafts and St. Armands Winter Art festivals in early January.
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