The Redington Beaches and Indian Shores Christmas Boat Parade Committee announced that Sunday, Dec. 23, is the date for the 2012 Christmas Boat Parade.
Many boats execute a decorating theme such as a “Caribbean Christmas” or “Bucs Football.” All boaters are invited to join the holiday merriment. There is no entry fee for participating in the parade. As in previous years, the parade will end with a huge prize-giving party at The Pub Restaurant in Indian Shores.
A “Captains Meeting” is on Thursday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m., in the Community Room, at the rear of the North Redington Beach Town Hall. Boat captains can pick up their boat identification numbers at the meeting. Any boat captains unable to pick up their identification boards on Thursday will be able to get them during normal business hours on Friday, Dec. 21, at the Redington Shores Town Hall. Call 727-397-5538.
Parade Committee Chairman Dave Will noted that the committee will reimburse boat owners up to $25 for rentals of portable generators to run their lights.
The parade will follow the same route as previous years, along the Intracoastal Waterway and meandering into the numerous canals that form the waterfronts in the participating towns.
The rendezvous/starting point will be on the north side of the Tom Stuart Causeway (Madeira Beach) Causeway. Boats will rendezvous at 5:30 p.m. with their lights off. The boats will light up in unison at 6 p.m., starting the parade.
After touring Redington Beach, North Redington Beach and Redington Shores, the parade will pass through the Park Boulevard drawbridge and proceed north along the ICW through Indian Shores to the finish point at The Pub Restaurant, 20025 Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores.
The awards ceremony and party will follow the arrival of the last lighted boat. Pub owner, Steve Westphal, generously donates hot hors d’ourves for the boat crews and their guests.
The awards this year include cash prizes for first, second and third Places. All participating boats will get a variety of prizes including products, gifts and gift certificates donated by local businesses.
For more information about the Redington Beaches/Indian Shores Lighted Boat Parade, call Redington Shores Town Hall at 727-397-5538.
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