Boats+lights+water= Lighted Boat Parade




WHAT: LIGHTED BOAT PARADE AND CAROLERS AFLOAT TIME: 6 P.M. (BOARD BOATS) 6:30 P.M. PARADE STARTS WHERE: MUNCIPAL HARBOR WHEN: SATURDAY, DEC. 4

WHAT: LIGHTED BOAT PARADE AND CAROLERS AFLOAT TIME: 6 P.M. (BOARD BOATS) 6:30 P.M. PARADE STARTS WHERE: MUNCIPAL HARBOR WHEN: SATURDAY, DEC. 4


There is something for everyone, young and old alike, to enjoy at the Annual Carolers Afloat and Boat Lighting Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4.

The Port Aransas tradition features a lighted boat parade in the Dennis Dreyer Municipal Harbor with boats sporting serious holiday bling and carolers singing their hearts out on two commercial boats.

The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Carolers should meet at the Fred Rhodes Memorial Pavilion in Roberts Point Park at 6 p.m. to pick up a songbook and board one of two boats, the Island Queen out of Woody’s Sports Center or one of the catamarans out of Fisherman’s Wharf. A limited number of seats are available on the Carolers Afloat boats.

Lighting up Shelby Flores strings up holiday lights on greenery in front of her home on Avenue G. Port Aransas homes, businesses and RVs are invited to decorate and enter the garden club’s annual contest, Christmas in ‘PA’radise. See story Page 12A.

Lighting up Shelby Flores strings up holiday lights on greenery in front of her home on Avenue G. Port Aransas homes, businesses and RVs are invited to decorate and enter the garden club’s annual contest, Christmas in ‘PA’radise. See story Page 12A.


Parade spectators may line the waterfront along the marina or get a “ringside” seat at one of the waterfront restaurants.

The culmination of the parade will be Santa Claus arriving at the dock by way of a Coast Guard boat. He’ll be available to hear the Christmas wishes of the island children.

Tamales, hot cocoa and cookies will be awaiting participants and spectators, too, after the boat parade.

Student groups, church groups, nonprofi t groups and private boat owners are invited to trick out a boat and join the parade.

Boats can be entered by going to the South Jetty
Web site, www.portasouthjetty. com. Click on Forms in the menu on the left side of the page, then select Boat Lighting Contest Entry Form. The form can be printed, completed and taken to the chamber office, 403 W. Cotter Ave. Forms also are available at the chamber office or the South Jetty,
141 W. Cotter Ave. Boaters also may enter by calling the chamber at 749-5919.

Deadline to enter is noon Saturday. A captains’ meeting will be held prior to the parade at 5:30 p.m. at the harbormaster’s office next to the pavilion.

Cash prizes donated by area businesses will be awarded to the best-decorated boats in four categories and most original.

First and second places of $200 and $100 respectively, will be awarded for non-profit organization, any size vessel category; private vessel, 30 feet or less in length; private vessel, 31 feet or more in length; and commercial vessel of any length.

A $200 prize for most original will be awarded by the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau.

The chamber and the Port Aransas Boatmen, Inc. are co-sponsors of the boat parade and contest.

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