2007-12-15

Winterfest Boat Parade

Tonight is the Winterfest Boat Parade down the New River and up the Intracoastal Waterway. It is usually a hoot for those not involved because it is barely controlled chaos.

Essentially, boat owners decorate their vessels with all kinds of holiday lights and doodads similar to what one might find on a street parade float. The larger (ritzier) vessels often have dozens or hundreds of folks on board partying and dancing to the loud music emanating from their vessels.

A couple years ago a hapless veteran ham radio operator served as net control on the marine channel for the boat parade and sounded hopelessly outmatched by the clever boat pilots zipping about the parade route. You are welcome to tune in to the festivities on the feed for as long as you can stand it. It's only 15:30 Saturday and I'm already over it!