from staff
The City of Jacksonville is seeking boaters to celebrate the start of their holiday season at the 23rd annual Jacksonville Light Parade Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. on the Downtown river front. The St. Johns River will be transformed into an array of lights, sound and holiday spirit as the First Coast boating community decorates their vessels from bow to stern to compete in the largest lighted boat parade in the area.
The Jacksonville Light Parade Fireworks Spectacular, a premiere annual pyrotechnic display, will light up the night sky and illuminate the Downtown river front immediately following the parade. The fireworks are shot from three barges located in front of the Jacksonville Landing, the Hyatt and west of the Acosta Bride. The signature “waterfall” fireworks will be shot from both sides of the Main Street Bridge and the east side of the Acosta Bridge. The parade and fireworks can be viewed from both the Southbank and the Northbank.
The Jacksonville Light Parade is open to powerboats and sailboats. There is no restriction on size and registration is free. The parade is limited to the first 100 registered vessels.
Captains and crews can enter in one of the five of the competitive categories: 30-feet and over (private individual), 30-feet and under (private individual), sailboat, organized club, or corporate/commercial. Judges will rate each vessel on the following criteria: best use of lights and decorations, composition, originality and holiday spirit.
Prizes include but are not limited to: four-day, three-night stay at Amelia Island Resort; VIP packages to the Jacksonville Jazz Festival; Suns tickets; gift certificates for a round of golf for two at the Eagle Landing Golf Course; two-day, one-night stay at the Casa Monica Hotel; wine from San Sebastian Winery; International Boat Show passes; tickets to Players by the Sea; VIP package to the 2009 Jacksonville Film Festival; gift certificate to Beach Diner; Panera Bread gift certificates; and a Family Four Pack for four round-trip water taxi rides.
This event is part of the Make A Scene Downtown! series. For information about registering, contact the City’s Office of Special Events at 630-3690 or visit www.coj.net and click on Light Parade.