Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade Returns Saturday

BRADENTON – The Bradenton Yacht Club will once again host the 16th Annual Holiday Boat Parade, this Saturday, December 14. The annual event features boats of all shapes and sizes, decorated with Christmas lights and themes to celebrate the season.

Spectators can witness the boats from either side of the river. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Saturday and is expected to pass the downtown waterfront between 8-8:30 p.m.

Boats will stage in the river near Desoto Park and proceed to the Bradenton Yacht Club, which is open to the public for the event. After dazzling spectators and judges there, they line back up and pass by the Regatta Pointe Marina (1005 Riverside Drive, Palmetto) before heading over to the Twin Dolphin Marina (1000 1st Ave West, Bradenton) for their final showing.

Some boats that are small enough will pass under the bridges then travel east to pass in front of Tarpon Pointe Marina before circling back. There are a number of restaurants along the path from which to view the parade. A public award ceremony will be held immediately following the parade at the Bradenton Yacht Club.