By Mary Hladky
Boca Raton has terminated its annual holiday boat parade, a staple of city celebrations since 1975.
City officials decided to bring the tradition to an end this year due to a decrease in participation despite increased promotion of the event, said city spokeswoman Ileana Olmsted.
Contributing to the declining interest may have been the 2016 decision by Delray Beach and Boynton Beach to combine their boat parades, while Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach did the same at least six years ago. As a result, more boaters and attendees were drawn to those events, she said.
The city has received no complaints about the decision, she said.
Last year’s boat parade was canceled and not rescheduled after severe weather warnings were issued for the night of the Dec. 16 event.
Gene Folden, chairman of the city’s Marine Advisory Board, said residents who have learned of the cancellation are disappointed, “but they do understand the number of boats that have participated over the years have been dwindling to some degree.”
Yet the city isn’t skimping on other holiday celebrations, and has even added some this year, including a Holiday Pops concert at the Mizner Park Amphitheater on Dec. 7.
“Merry in Mizner” pop-up events will be held in Mizner Park on Dec. 20 and Dec. 28, and another such event in Sanborn Square on Dec. 12.
A partial list of other major events included the Holiday Tree Lighting and music performances, held on Nov. 23 in Mizner Park; the FAU Tuba Christmas concert on Dec. 1 at the amphitheater; the 52nd annual Holiday Street Parade featuring decorated floats and music on Dec. 4 along Federal Highway; the second annual Deck the House home decorating contest with a Dec. 20 application deadline and winners announced on Dec. 22; and Gumbo Limbo Aglow, with refreshments, crafts and yard games on Dec. 6, 13, 20 and 27 at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
These and additional events are listed by the city’s Recreation Services Department on the city’s website.
Comments