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Christmas spectacle takes to waterways Dec. 3 in Pensacola Beach boat parade
By Franklin Hayes Splash!
Once again it is almost time for the much-anticipated Pensacola Beach Lighted Christmas Boat Parade. After not holding the event last year due to hurricane damage, organizers have decided that it is time to put Santa Clause back on the water. The lead boat will be Reel Eazy, piloted by Captain Buddy Rogers, and will carry Santa Clause for the duration of the procession.
This year’s parade will take place Saturday, December 3rd, and will begin around 6:15 in front of the Sabine Marina on Pensacola Beach. From the marina, boats will cruise out into the sound, make their way toward Deer Point, and come back through the bridge. The Christmas spectacle will then pass the boardwalk and the lead boat, Reel Eazy, will drop Santa Clause off at Key Sailing. Santa says he hopes to be greeted by his loving fans and is excited about sharing his Christmas cheer. Succeeding the event, there will be an after party at Bamboo Willie’s open to both parade participants and the general public.
Due to damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, there was no place to moor the boats for the parade. Buddy Rogers expressed great interest in participating in this year’s event, after missing out last year. Rogers won first place in 2003 for the decoration of his vessel, Reel Eazy.
“Sail boats usually win because they can loop the (Christmas) lights over the mast,” Rogers said.
“It’s really about which boat has the best overall appearance,” organizer Robert Gleim said. Having been involved with the parade for several years, Gleim shared some decorating tips for this year’s event.
“One time several years ago, somebody pulled a fully decorated dinghy behind their boat,” Gleim said. Judging criteria includes, but is not limited to, Christmas themed decoration of the sailing vessels. Examples could include Christmas lawn decorations like inflatable reindeer, garden gnomes, string lights, and Christmas trees. The overall holiday season ambiance of the captain and crew will also be considered for judgment. Judges for the event will be located at a residence that is across the sound from Sabine marina where they will have full view of the spectacle. Gleim also mentioned that prizes for first place through third place will be handed out for the crafts with the best presence.
Along with being a manager at Bamboo Willie’s on Pensacola Beach, Gleim has been apart of the Christmas themed boat parade for nearly 10 years.
So far, around a dozen boats have signed up to participate, and organizers are hoping for more.
“This is a way for us to get back into somewhat of a regular routine (after the hurricanes),” Gleim said.
If you are interested in being apart of this year’s Pensacola Beach Lighted Christmas Parade, contact Robert Gleim at Bamboo Willie’s by calling (850) 916-9888, or Sean Rogan at Hemmingway’s Island Grill by calling (850) 934-4747.
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