Christmas Boat Parade spreads holiday spirit on the water
People kept saying how the Christmas Boat Parade was something you could only have in Florida.
It was one of those special nights at Salty Sam’s Marina in Fort Myers Beach where the parade started with a record 31 boats floating out past local restaurants and under the Matanzas Pass Bridge to Siesta Isles and back.
“It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” said Larry Evener of Ohio. “It’s something you can really only see in Florida with the lights. It’s part of being in Florida.”
One of the big winners was Brian Josephson, a charter boat captain who took home first prize for his “Chillin the Most” yacht. Josephson’s vessel was one of the most colorful of the night decorated with a big pink flamingo and visual effects created by his passengers. One of them, Dorothy Dashiell, spun a dome umbrella with a table cloth and strobe flashlight taped inside to give the appearance of a lit up jellyfish.
“This is the best winter I have ever spent in my life,” said the Kansas City, Missouri native. “I am out here bare-footed when all of my family is in 30-degree weather.”
Katie Diaz was enjoying watching the parade at Salty Sam’s Marina while relaxing on a boat with her family. “We come every year but we’ve never been able to get on a boat and watch it,” she said.
Darrell Hanson, owner of Salty Sam’s Marina, enjoyed the festivities with his family on their boat. Hanson also had his sail boat lit up with Christmas lights, which will be up until the new year. “It’s exciting. Everybody loves it. We’re excited to host it. The dock really fills up with the neighborhood.”
The Shrimp Dock and Parrot Key Caribbean Grill were both packed at the marina, with Deb and the Dynamics and Frank Torino performing late into the night.
The boats may have received most of the attention but it took a singer to put the icing on the cake. Sean Reid, of Fort Myers, took to the waters and sang Christmas carols for almost two hours minus a break on the Greygoose pontoon sponsored by WFM Watercraft and Marine. The powerful sound system on the boat was from Tech-Tronics, Reid’s employer.
Reid’s booming voice as the boat returned to shore kicked the holiday season into high gear. “I’m worn out,” exclaimed Reid afterward.
The event was sponsored by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, which handed out raffle prizes and awards for best boats.
“What a beautiful night,” said Chamber of Commerce President Jacki Liszak. “Everybody had smiles, lining the docks. People everywhere having so much fun. It’s a great start to the season.
“It’s a thank you to the community. It’s our way of giving back,” Liszak said. “We all love this island.”
Awards:
Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce awards for best boats at the parade:
– People’s Choice Award for best boat: “Simple Dreams”
– Large power boat winner: “Chillin the Most.”
– Best small power boat: (Three-way tie) “The Mav,” “The Brenneister,” “Shelbi Kay.”
– Best sponsored large boat: “Sea Racer”
– Best sponsored small boat: Davidson Painting.”