2016 PHOTO GALLERY BELOW
The 23rd Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and 18th Annual “On the Water” Toy Drive benefiting Toys for Tots and Little Smiles kicks off this year’s holiday season tonight Saturday, December 2 at 6:00pm in North Palm Beach. The parade will stage and begin at the north end of the Lake Worth Lagoon and proceed north on the Intracoastal Waterway to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Tens of thousands of spectators will come out to enjoy the procession of dozens of decorated vessels sparkling on the Intracoastal Waterway beneath a backdrop of traveling fireworks.
There will be extended fireworks,live music & activities at Harbourside Place, plus a grand finale at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse courtesy of Square Grouper Tiki Bar, Jetty’s and U-Tiki. Other popular viewing locations include: Juno Park, Bert Winters Park, Sawfish Bay Park, and Lighthouse Park.
This year we are excited to welcome special guest Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti, a past runner-up of NBC’s hit show, America’s Got Talent. He will be joining long-time grand marshals Mo and Sally from KOOL 105.5. Santa Claus will make an appearance on the last boat of the evening.
The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade benefits the U.S. Marine Reserves Toys for Tots Program and Little Smiles of South Florida. Last year, the MIAPBC collected 10,000 toys for needy children in Palm Beach County, making this event one of the top toy collecting events in Palm Beach County. Toy donations can be dropped off at dozens of local businesses (listed at palmbeachboatparade.com), or picked up dockside during the parade by a fleet of marked toy boat volunteers by waving a flashlight.
Boat judging is based on three factors: lights, enthusiasm and themed decor. The top three boats in each size category, plus “Best of Parade,” win a total of more than $10,000 in cash and prizes. (*drum roll please*) 🏆 Winners just posted to their Facebook page:
There will be temporary road closures due to bridge openings that will allow all parade vessels to pass through. Due to weather, winds, tides, and currents we cannot predict the EXACT time bridges along the parade route will be going up and down. Here are our best estimates based on past parades.
Parker Bridge will open sometime between 6:00 and 6:15.
PGA Bridge will open sometime between 6:30 and 6:45.
Donald Ross Bridge will open sometime between 7:15 and 7:30.
Indiantown Road Bridge will open sometime between 8:00 and 8:15.
Jupiter Federal Bridge will open sometime between 8:15 and 8:30.
Our permits allow a 45-minute opening for all bridges, so please use alternate routes during these times. This will only affect the parade traffic moving from south to north. Once the parade is completed at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse the regular bridge opening schedules will be in effect.
The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade premier event is produced and sponsored by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. For more information and a list of all our sponsors and supporters, visit palmbeachboatparade.com, email alyssa@marinepbc.org, or call (561) 863-0012.
About Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County: The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC) is a not-for- profit organization created to promote and protect the sound growth of the marine industry in Palm Beach County for the benefit and education of its members, the community, and the environment.
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