After navigating rough waters for the past few years, the annual Thanksgiving weekend parade of lighted boats Downtown along the St. Johns River is set for smooth sailing through 2016.
Parade manager Gator Bowl Sports, the city and Community First Credit Union announced Tuesday the credit union has signed on as title sponsor of the event for the next three years.
“The greatest assets we have are our river and our beaches and this event highlights the river more than any event,” said Rick Catlett, CEO and president of Gator Bowl Sports.
Catlett said he couldn’t divulge the exact amount of the sponsorship agreement, but said Community First’s contribution represents a “significant portion” of the $100,000 annual budget for the parade and fireworks.
“Community First is dedicated to activities that enhance the quality of life,” said credit union President and CEO John Hirabayashi. “We can’t imagine Jacksonville without this Thanksgiving tradition. We look forward to seeing this event grow.”
He said the parade will be capped by the “best fireworks of the entire year,” including the pyrotechnic ‘waterfalls” to be placed this year on the Acosta Bridge.
The parade was established 30 years ago by the Gator Bowl Association to entertain fans who were in Jacksonville for the New Year’s college football game. It later was taken over by the city and the date was moved to the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The parade almost sank in 2011, when the city withdrew its financial support due to budget cuts.
That led the boating community, joined by businesses and hospitality operators and organizations, to raise the money each year to sustain the parade and fireworks show, albeit on a smaller scale.
“For the next three years, this event will continue at the highest level,” said Catlett. “That couldn’t happen without corporate sponsorship.”
At its peak, more than 100 vessels participated in the parade each year. In 2013, the line was just 55 boats long.
Capt. Jim Suber, city dockmaster, said the goal for the 2014 edition of the parade, scheduled at 7 p.m. Nov. 29, is 100 boats. Suber said all vessels from kayaks to luxury yachts are invited to participate.
Boater registration for the Community First Jacksonville Light Boat Parade is open at jacksonvillelightboatparade.com.
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