While the tag of “Florida Man” carries a negative connotation, there’s nearly nothing more “Florida” than celebrating winter holidays by the beach or in a boat — regardless of what the temperature is outside.
This holiday season, in true Florida fashion, communities are gearing up to host their annual Christmas boat parades. Residents are invited to deck the wall of their boats out for a chance to win a prize or bragging rights.
Find Christmas celebrations on the water near you ahead of this holiday season with these upcoming events.
“Light Up Lake Weir” Christmas Boat Parade
Every year, families gather around the waters of Lake Weir to see the Christmas creativity brought by community members for the “Light Up Lake Weir” boat parade hosted by the Lake Weir Yacht Club.
The annual parade will start sailing down Lake Weir at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 10 starting at the Carney Island Boat Marina, 13275 SE 115th Avenue, Ocklawaha.
“Right now, we have 15 boats signed up, but generally we’ll have anywhere from 15-30 people participating,” said Bonnie Meyer, parade planning committee member with the Lake Weir Yacht Club.
During the parade, guests will see a couple of holiday staple characters enjoying the Florida weather as a Santa Claus will be wake boarding through and The Grinch will be zipping by on a jet ski.
“Being out on the water and seeing all the decorated boats, it’s mesmerizing. It’s also always nice to see families gathered on their docks around the lake,” Meyer said.
After the parade, the competing captains will have their boats judged for cash prizes of $250 for first place winners, $150 for second place, and $100 for third place.
Proceeds from the event will go to the Ocklawaha Community of Gratitude and the Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection.
For more information about the event, visit lakeweiryachtclub.org.
Leesburg’s Christmas on the Water
Leesburg city officials say that though the beauty of the Venetian Gardens is “jaw-dropping” during the day, but the sight of the park during the “Leesburg’s Christmas on the Water” event is sure to be a breathtaking experience.
On Dec. 8 at 5 p.m., the public will have the chance to see what the park looks like illuminated under the holiday lights and see inflatables attached to boats. From land to sea, the Venetian Gardens will be brightened and lively with lights, food vendors, free hayrides, and live entertainment.
Light Up Venetian Gardens will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the boat parade following at 6:15 p.m.
Along with live holiday music performances, vendors and hundreds of lights strung up in the trees at the gardens, guests who attend the event will be able to view the boats decorated by members of the community.
The boaters will battle for the title of who is shining the brightest and over $2,000 in cash and prizes.
“Last year we had 32 boaters participate in the event. This year we have at least 20 people signed up so far, but I think we’ll have more sign up right before the captain’s meeting,” said Fred O’Brien, of the Leesburg Boating Club.
Along with aiming to giving the Leesburg community an entertaining holiday event, the proceeds from the event will benefit the community.
“We were supporting Toys for Tots and raised nearly $9,000 last year. This year, our benefactor for this year is the Children’s Advocacy Center,” O’Brien said. “This is our Christmas gift to the Leesburg community.”
For more information about the event, visit leesburgboatclub.com.
Mount Dora Lighted Boat Christmas Parade
For 33 years, members of the Mount Dora community have voyaged out on the Lake Dora waters for the Mount Dora Lighted Boat Christmas Parade.
On Dec. 7, the 34th Annual Mount Dora Lighted Boat Christmas Parade will set sail with boaters following the theme, “Florida Christmas.”
“It started with a few guys getting together and saying, ‘let’s decorate our boats for Christmas.’ It really a fun small-town boat parade where people can get creative and decorate their boats for fun,” said Jenny Boyd, an employee of Rusty Anchor.
The parade will start at 6 p.m., following judging at 5:30 p.m. at Lake Beauclair by Rusty Anchor’s Tiki, 400 W. 4th Ave, Mount Dora.
Boats will compete for first, second, and third place along with “most creative”. The winners of the parade will be announced on the Rusty Anchor Mount Dora Facebook page.
Following the parade, the City of Mount Dora and Marine Corp Reserve will host the Toys for Tots Night of Lights from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Guests will be able to see the Christmas lights and characters, if they make the donation of a new unwrapped toy or a cash donation.
For more information about the event, visit rustyanchormountdora.com or ci.mount-dora.fl.us.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
