BOAT PARADE

[RWS]

PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA, November 12, 2012 — MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE FOR THE BIGGEST CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE ON THE ENTIRE GULF COAST !

Santa Claus announced MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE as the theme for the 12th Annual Punta Gorda Boat Parade sailing on December 22nd, 2012.

“It’s an annual opportunity for the community to show its support by making a JOYFUL NOISE that’s music to my ears” said Santa. “We have a new, 7.5 mile route this year, and it’s up on the website.” said Santa. “I’ll be watching to make sure you bring noisemakers.” he said. “Elves and reindeer especially like to hear sleigh bells, so don’t forget to bring them.” he added.

Known to Old Timers as the “Rim Canal Parade,” this different, interactive spectacular event extends over 7.5 bridgeless miles of the protected canals of Punta Gorda Isles. Spectators participate by bringing sleigh bells, tambourines, cow bells and tremendous applause creating a JOYFUL NOISE, cheering for their favorite boats up close and personal as the flotilla glides by. “We’re uniquely different because spectators are up close to cheer and make a joyful noise as carolers, musicians and dancers entertain, less than fifty feet away.” said Tom Little, Parade Coordinator.

“Last year well over 12,000 spectators enjoyed the flotilla from numerous vacant lots and from the countless private parties along the route” said Little, “This is the big family holiday event where people plan parties a year in advance. It’s a fun parade where the floats actually do float.” Little added.

“Up close and personal with audience participation makes this a unique showcase community event with the largest participation on the Gulf Coast.” said Harris Bowers, Parade Coordinator. “With no entry fees, no judging, no prizes, no cash awards, no trophies, no official parade theme and no grand marshal, we’re commercial free. We don’t care how simple or fancy your decorations are. It’s just a relaxed, easygoing, fun parade where boaters and cheering spectators making JOYFUL NOISES from the docks and seawalls. This interaction is all part of the fun.” said Bowers. “It’s truly all about the spirit of the season. This is what makes a Punta Gorda Christmas so very special.” he said. “Our website has all the necessary information for spectators, our new 2012 parade route, and is especially helpful to new boaters who are thinking of joining the event for the first time. We have a printable event map, decorating tips and an entry form at http://www.puntagordaboatparade.com” said Bowers.

AN INTERACTIVE PARTICIPATING EVENT FOR SPECTATORS
Spectators bring sleighbells, cowbells and other noisemakers to play their important part in the fun, making a joyful noise, cheering on their favorite decorated boats as they glide past only fifty feet away. The boats come very close to the seawalls and docks to give the cheering crowds a unique opportunity to connect with the boat crews while getting an exclusive up close look at all the creative, imaginative holiday decorations and performers. Come out, enjoy this magical display of holiday spirit and do not forget your camera.

“Past years have seen the Grinch, lighted pelicans, sea dragons, dolphins, gingerbread men, Santa’s sleigh, menorahs, and doves of peace. We have a boat featuring characters and props from the film A Christmas Story and who can forget the wonderfully lit pig coming out of the stocking, the flying airplanes, the helicopter or the moving watering can and color changing poinsettia?” asked Little. “We have trumpeters, dancing candy canes, carolers, and even bagpipes. Folks come from miles away to join us for this once a year, unforgettable, magical night, the definite highlight of our holiday season.” said Parade Coordinator Tom Little.

For those who want to learn how easy it is to decorate a boat for the parade this year the Punta Gorda Boat Parade will be hosting a FREE BOAT AND HOME DECORATING CLINIC at the Isles Community Center on Wednesday December 5th at 7:00 PM. Check out the details at http://www.puntagordaboatparade.com

FOR BOATERS, IT’S PEAK LIGHT NIGHT

Many homeowners decorate especially for the Parade, peaking on the Saturday Night Before Christmas Eve, the night decorations are at their fullest, and best seen by boat with lights multiplied by the reflection on the water. Be sure to bring your camera!

The decorated seawalls result in a well lit parade route. Safe navigation is easy, following the other lighted boats. This year we have added lighted turn arrows. The Charlotte County Sheriff and City of Punta Gorda Police officially escort the parade. Weather is not a concern within the broad sheltered canals, nor are windblown low tides, with six foot water depth all along the Parade route. Dockage is available so you can easily leave your boat before and after the parade. Dockage is also available at the parade assembly area so you can safely await the parade start.

Savvy entries have friends help decorate their boat and then host a pre-parade raft-up at the assembly area on Saturday afternoon, sharing hors de oeuvres with other boaters. Invite your guests to be a part of the decorations with coordinated outfits, costumes, and even props. Live music, carolers, themed characters, or dancers are popular additions to the light displays. Your guests will always remember this very special night cruise.

Participating in the “light up’ of the fleet at sunset is a spectacle only the parading boaters can truly enjoy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Go to http://www.puntagordaboatparade.com for the new parade route, viewing areas, great decorating tips for first timers and entry forms.

HELP US PROMOTE THE PARADE BY POSTING A LINK ON YOUR WEBSITE
http://www.puntagordaboatparade.com

[hmc]

COOL

[myakka]

The parade is always a good time...but...Some of the canal houses in Punta Gorda canals have been decorated by SERIOUS professionals! Others are set up by VERY competitive homeowners. All of it adds up to a fun boat trip seeing the parade and lighted homes.
Mike

[RWS]

actually the "professionals" is a rumor

Those elaborate decorations are easy and inexpensive to make.

plastic mesh, PVC pipe and a bit of ingenuity is all it takes.

There are two free decorating workshops given each year - see the website for details.

RWS

[guglielmo6160]

the boat parades are a lot of fun,
Here in the Cape, (Cape Coral) they have an annual holiday boat parade where the boat owners do the same thing, my wife has been after me to decorate the boat and enter, but I would rather not,,,lol
its much easier to watch the others look silly!!!

[myakka]

It is rumored that Several of those houses needed to bring in portable nuclear power plants to run all the lights

[RWS]

some of the boats in the oarade will run 50 sets of C-9 LED's on a $39.00 WM inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter

C'mon check out the website

http://www.puntagordaboatparade.com

and join in th efun

you can also take advantage of free dock space at the parade start and finish so you don't have to run the harbor at night and can tie upo a day or more in advance to do prep work

RWS

[Molly Too]

We get a great kick out of the Hampton Virginia parade - We make a weekend of it. It's a great protected waterway, manageable current and generally wind sheltered. The maritime center has plenty of slips for the participants. The floating docks are along a boardwalk that runs the length of the center. Spectators start showing up just before sunset and by the time we sail, we've usually got a huge crowd gathered. I think they get the greatest kick out of watching us getting back in the slips - 20 or more of us pretty much landing at the same time!



Cindy Lou Who & The Grinch Too!

[ready123]

Arrived at Lulu's/Homeport Marina Sat. night to find it was boat parade night!


Even had a shrimp boat

[Allen Sr]

Nice pic's ready123!

[prowlersfish]

Mel , Did you see the first place power boat ? It was from my dock ( the Defever ) I had to work so I was not with them . Your boat looks great btw