FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – The vacation spectacle often called “The Best Present on H2O” sailed down the Intracoastal Waterway to a whole lot of excited sightseers for an evening of festive enjoyable on the water.
Spectators picked their viewing spots to absorb the Seminole Laborious Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, they usually weren’t disenchanted.
The procession of lights bought underway on the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Saturday night.
“Love Winterfest Boat Parade. The boats are superb,” mentioned a girl.
The parade was so vibrant, it had many feeling the magic, like Nicole and Ben.
“He’s a captain, so that is good for him,” mentioned Nicole.
“I’m a yacht captain,” mentioned Ben.
Kelly mentioned she flies down all the best way from North Carolina yearly.
“Simply the gorgeous boats and the lights, and it simply places us within the Christmas sprit,” she mentioned.
This journey, Kelly mentioned, is a little more particular than others.
“I simply bought engaged right this moment,” she mentioned as she confirmed 7News the ring on her finger. “Oh, I used to be so shocked.”
The annual occasion unfold waves of vacation cheer, from the New River to the Intracoastal, in a joyous return to the water after final 12 months’s parade was canceled resulting from inclement climate.
However earlier than the boats sailed alongside the river, there was a variety of preparation.
Bobby Flanigan Jr. shared among the prep particulars.
“Effectively, we constructed the guitar yesterday, after which, round 9:30 or so this morning, we bought collectively and began constructing all the things else,” he mentioned.
This 12 months’s theme is “From Sawgrass to Seagrass: Waves of Vacation Cheer.”
“Down on the entrance, we’ve bought bald eagles, we’ve bought a deer, after which within the center, we’ve bought downtown and the Laborious Rock On line casino,” mentioned Flanigan as he described his decorations.
Flanigan mentioned adorning and crusing the boat is at all times a household affair
“That is only a enjoyable time for us. We’re a family-style boat, and that is what it’s all about,” he mentioned.
With bows and wreaths, Harley and Lindsey Grimm simply wished to deck the halls of the waterway
“We’ve bought the massive decoration on high with our display, and we’re nonetheless loading the remainder of the ornaments up, so a standard Christmas with the ornaments,” mentioned Harley.
“Decks the halls, yeah, deck the halls,” mentioned Lindsey.
One vessel even pirates on board, however they have been pleasant.
The captain mentioned they’ve the spirit
“I’m Captain Black Sparrow. Jack Sparrow’s brother from one other mom,” he mentioned.
7News ultimately noticed Santa Claus on high of the oldest boat collaborating within the enjoyable.
“The tug was in-built ’68,” mentioned Justin Heuer.
This vessel could also be outdated, however additionally it is fashionable
“Palm bushes and a paddleboarding Santa,” mentioned Heuer.
Heuer and fellow captain Patrick Kelly have been prepared to indicate off the tug.
“The joy, the enjoyable of it.” mentioned Capt. Patrick Kelly.
On the Venice of America vessel, it wasn’t the lights that made many really feel merry. It was Jr. Capt. Nico.
When requested if he was having enjoyable, Nico replied, “Sure.”
Nico was chosen by the YMCA to assist help within the vacation cheer.
“We’re very happy with our son. He’s doing superb, thank God,” mentioned his mom.
From the dancing to the singing, the Seminole Laborious Rock Winterfest Boat Parade introduced the enjoyment this vacation season.
You may catch the parade on 7. It’s set to air Friday at 7 p.m., adopted by Christmas Day and New 12 months’s Day encores at 5 a.m. and midday.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Tv Corp. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.