The Palm Beach County holiday calendar has long included two boat parades. This year, we're in for even more floating festivities as the county welcomes a third: the Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches.
The two that are returning to the waters are the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade, which runs from North Palm Beach to Jupiter, and the Boynton Beach Holiday Boat Parade that cruises from Lantana down to Delray Beach.
This new entry will take up that sweet spot geographically right in the middle of those two, delighting viewers leaving from the southern tip of Singer Island heading south to West Palm Beach before turning north to head all the way to North Palm Beach.
Organized and produced by the Sailfish Marina on Singer Island, the Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches, will take place Saturday, Dec. 13 and is slated to feature approximately 50 vessels decked out in lights, along with costumed captains and crews.
The fleet of decorated vessels will stage just north of the Blue Heron Bridge and a six-minute fireworks display at 6 p.m. will signal the launch of the parade as it begins working its way down the east side (Palm Beach) of the Intracoastal Waterway towards West Palm Beach, said Shannon Carnahan, Sailfish Marina's director of marketing and sales.
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Where to watch the new boat parade in Palm Beach County
The Sailfish Marina will simultaneously host a VIP viewing party on their south lawn which will run from 4 to 8 p.m. The event, for which 500 tickets will be available, will feature a DJ, a photo booth, the fireworks, and a buffet dinner with rolls, mixed green salad, blackened dolphin with tropical fruit salsa, saute?ed chicken with roasted garlic sauce, fall squash, roasted potatoes and sweet potatoes, vegetable pot stickers, desserts including mini pastries and cookies, along with a coffee bar, eggnog and cider.
The marina will also set up bleachers and offer free viewing, Carnahan said. There will be limited parking available onsite for $20. In addition to recommending ride sharing, she said they will have trolleys running back and forth from several parking lots on Singer Island.
The parade will cruise south before cutting across to the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway and turning north at Safe Harbor Rybovich.
From there it will pass several excellent spots for viewing including Osprey Park, Brian H. Chappell Park, Bicentennial Park and Kelsey Park as it makes its way to up to North Palm Beach.
Within the parade will be the KVJ Show Grand Marshall Boat. Yes, the hosts from the popular show on WRMF, Kevin, Virginia and Jason, will be onboard along with one very special guest: Santa Claus.
Carnahan said the Sailfish Marina has long been a supporter of the north county parade, but when they asked the organizers of that parade to consider starting a bit further south, closer to the marina, the organizers said it wasn't logistically possible. Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County executive director Alyssa Freeman then suggested the folks at Sailfish Marina start their own parade. So they did.
Calling for holiday boats for new boat parade
Carnahan said they are still accepting boat entries for the parade. "We opened the boat entries in September... now people are having time to think about it and come up with their theme."
The event will benefit The Little Smiles Annual Holiday Toy Drive, a mission to collect thousands of new, unwrapped toys for local children in need. Toys can be dropped off at the marina and at other soon-to-be posted sites.
Boat Parade of the Greater Palm Beaches
Where: The parade begins at Sailfish Marina, 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, works south to the West Palm Beach, turns north at Safe Harbor Rybovitch, cruises along west side of ICW up to North Palm Beach
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
Cost: Viewing free. Sailfish Marina pre-parade VIP party: Adults $75, ages 10 and younger $35.
Information: sailfishmarina.com/boat-parade-of-the-greater-palm-beaches
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.