This past week, The Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County hosted the 26th Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and Toy Drive to spread cheer to over 250,000 spectators on December 5th. The parade made its way up the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Toys were collected along the parade route by a fleet of volunteer boats, many of which carried uniformed Marines.
Toys for Tots and Little Smiles are reporting that 5,500 toys were collected the night of the parade. Members of the community also made numerous monetary donations online at PalmBeachBoatParade.com, which will all go towards toy purchases for Toys for Tots and Little Smiles.
The stars of the parade were the dozens of decorated vessels and the traveling fireworks display that led them up the Intracoastal. Each year, the parade includes four divisions in which boats are judged: Under 25’, 25’-35’, Over 35’, and Corporate. Each boat was judged on three main factors: lights, enthusiasm, and themed décor.
The MIAPBC announced award winners as follows:
First place in the Under 25’ division went to Too Much Fun, entered by David Wiggins from West Palm Beach. Second place went to Miss B Haven, entered by Jerry Oenbrink from Hobe Sound, and third place went to Teazer Too, entered by Scott Abel from North Palm Beach.
In the 25’-35’ division, NAILED IT, entered by The Liscomb Family from North Palm Beach, did precisely that, taking home first place with an incredibly festive display that could be seen for miles. Eagles Nest, entered by The Andries Family, and Yellow Streak, entered by Zachary Ingram from Palm Beach Gardens, were not far behind, finishing second and third, respectively.
In the Over 35’ division, Madame Blue, entered by the Nassif Family from Jupiter, finished first place. Osprey, entered by Timothy Toole, and Dig’N Life, entered by Ron Taylor from Loxahatchee, finished out the top three.One of the most fun and competitive divisions in the parade is the Corporate division. Lucky Dog, entered in the Corporate division by Lucky Dog Luxury Yacht Charters, was awarded first place. Checked Out, entered by nonprofit Little Smiles, and FOOD YACHT finished second and third.
Best of Parade winner, for the second time, went to Suits Us Too, a 22-foot pontoon boat that went with a tropical theme, and was entered by Dwight Fetterman from North Palm Beach.
The parade was free to enter, and boats competed for over $10,000 in cash and prizes.
Learn more about the PBHBP at https://www.marinepbc.org/boat-parade.
