Boca Raton FL— The 35th Annual City of Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 17, beginning at 6:30pm at the Boca Raton-Delray Beach city limits (C-15 Canal), traveling south to the Hillsboro Bridge at the Boca Raton-Deerfield Beach border. In the past, Boca Raton’s boat parade has been one of the premier holiday events in South Florida with thousands of spectators lining the 6½-mile parade route to view spectacularly-decorated vessels of all sizes to celebrate the holiday season in true tropical tradition. A spectacular fireworks display will lead the boats down the waterway. In past years, nearly 50 brightly lit boats of all sizes have joined in the parade and organizers are hoping to have the same number of entries this year. This year’s parade is no exception with forty entries to date…..sizes ranging from 10 feet to a one-hundred-forty foot yacht
Along with a spectacular boat parade and fireworks display, also featured is the famous ‘on the water’ U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots drive featuring dockside donation pickups during the parade to benefit needy children in our area. Tow boats travel the parade route and collect new, unwrapped toys from folks using flashlights to signal the tow boats along the route.
It is the hope of the organizers that many will join in to make the 2011 Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade the biggest and best yet! Registration is free and all entries are guaranteed to win prize packages and/or cash prizes, valued at over $10,000. Winners will receive a generous check, along with an engraved recognition trophy-piece. Prize monies in each of three categories are as follows: 1st place winners $1000 cash, 2nd place $500, 3rd place $250; Best of Parade will receive $1000 cash, along with a travel package to the Bahamas valued at over $2000. In addition, the best corporate vessel will receive $1000.
The Boat Parade is free and open to the public with bleacher viewing areas at RedReefParkand SilverPalmPark. The parade begins in the Intracoastal Waterway at the C-15 Canal at the Delray Beach/Boca Raton border and continues south to the Hillsboro Boulevard Bridge just south of the Boca Raton city limits. The Parade schedule and approximate times for bridge closings along the route are:
6:30pm Lead Boat leaves C-15 Canal
6:50pm Lead Boat arrives at Spanish River Blvd Bridge
7:20pm Lead Boat arrives at Palmetto Park Rd Bridge
7:30pm Lead Boat arrives at Camino Real Bridge
(Bridges will remain in the “UP” position for approximately 45 mins)
The Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade is organized by the City of Boca Raton Recreation Services, with additional support from the following: Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, SeaTow of Palm Beach County, Boca Resort & Club, 1000 Oceans, South Florida Inland Navigation District, Barry Epstein Associates, Aurora Nurses, Skechers USA Footwear, Beverly Hills International Promotions, Florida Health & Chiropractic Medicine, The Boca Raton Tribune, Boca Spine and Wellness Center, Patten Family Foundation and the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.
Anyone interested in participating in the parade or for additional information, please call the City of Boca Raton Special Events at (561) 239-1536 or (561) 393-7827. Additional information is also available on the parade website, www.myboca.us/rec/specialevents.