Participants rallied during an abbreviated four-week prep time to assemble creative displays on pontoons, sport boats, and canoes. “We had 21 registered but only 14 participating,” said Rotary Club member Johnny Hurlburt. “We had some rain early in the afternoon and then again at 4 p.m., which could have deterred boats from participating if they anticipated further rain.”
Some participants gathered by the shore of Dinky Dock Park before sunset to decorate their boats.Isaac Babcock uses more than seven sets of lights for his first Winter Park Boat Parade display. He has participated in the Lake Howell Boat Parade for eight years but was a longtime spectator at the Winter Park event.
Residents lined lakeside properties and more spectators gathered at Dinky Dock Park to watch as boats adorned with inflatable characters and miles of colorful string lights navigated the parade route. Winter Park Mayor Sheila DeCiccio was among a panel of three judges that included Rotary Club District Governor Sonya LaBosco and Clyde Moore of I LUV Winter Park, Inc. Prizes were awarded in four categories, listed in the slideshow.
Rotary Club and boating community members are already looking forward to next year’s pageant, scheduled for December 13, 2025. Check out the photos for more from this year’s Holiday Boat Parade.
The Rotary Club display, which also made an appearance in the Winter Park Christmas Parade the previous Saturday, makes a jolly impression.Iconic characters and lots of yuletide music accompanied the floating festivities.Even The Grinch made an appearance in the flotilla.The North Star makes a heavenly holiday vision.A floating Christmas tree exhibit navigates the shoreline.Even the Winter Park Police Department got in on the fun with its patrol boat.Bryan Thomas took the President’s Award for Best Use of Lights for his boat, “Wise Men, Just One.”The Mayor’s Award for Best Winter Park Christmas Spirit went to Roman and Michelle Cornell’s “Love Boat” – complete with a launching Santa sleigh and reindeer.The Governor’s Award for Best Christmas Display went to Gerald Stoltenberg for “Christmas on a Kayak.” Photo courtesy of: Winter Park Rotary ClubShawn Bush took the Winter Park Rotary Club Award for Best Overall display with the “Wicked – Wizard of Oz” boat.
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About the Author
This story was written by Jim Carchidi, one of our collection of writers covering news in Winter Park, Florida. Our staff writers can be reached at news@the32789.com.
