MADEIRA BEACH – Area boaters will again pay their respects to veterans and active military when the American Legion’s 13th annual Veterans Day Boat parade sails Saturday, Nov. 7, 11 a.m.
The route starts at Legion Post 273, just north of the Tom Stuart Causeway, goes south to Treasure Island and back.
Vanessa Quillao, who will perform between 10:20 and 10:40 a.m. will sing the national anthem. A Blackhawk helicopter formation from F Company, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment in Clearwater will conduct a flyover prior to the start of the parade.
“We’re expecting between 30 and 40 entries but that doesn’t include any of the parade vessels,” said parade director Barbara Stayer. “This year I’ve got eight of those.”
Cash awards will be handed out for first through third places in two divisions. One division will comprise boats of 14 to 27 feet and another 28 feet or larger.
Stayer said the Dolphin Quest boat would again transport area Pearl Harbor survivors.
The grand marshal will be 87-year-old Stanley Azevedo of Madeira Beach, who earned four Purple Hearts as a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.
This year the parade will pay special tribute to the U.S. Army and will include a 74-foot Army landing craft.
Stayer said parade patrons can best view the event from Legion Post 273, Elks Lodge 1912 in Madeira Beach and at John’s Pass.
An awards pickup and slide show of the festivities will follow Wednesday, Nov. 18, 6 to 8 p.m., at Post 273.
