Historical Society plans for holiday boat parade

BRADEN RIVER — Last year, when Denise Kleiner huddled in her Christmas-decorated motorboat and quietly orchestrated the whereabouts of about a dozen other decorated watercrafts, she hoped the efforts would relaunch an old tradition slowly, but surely.

But as boaters showed themselves in the Ever’s Reservoir for the area’s first boat parade, the cheers echoed off the water.

“People at Jiggs were bombarded; when we came out of the river, I couldn’t see the buildings there were so many people,” Kleiner said. “I never thought in a million years (we’d have that turnout). People along the river were having dock parties.”

This year, Kleiner is prepared.

The event will be held at dusk — likely around 6 p.m. — Dec. 6. Boaters will leave Jiggs Landing Preserve and travel about six miles along the Braden River to their ending spot at Linger Lodge Restaurant.

This year, the Old Braden River Historical Society, which Kleiner founded about seven years ago in an effort to preserve a cabin at the Jiggs Landing Preserve, will host an after-party at Linger Lodge. Tickets cost $18 and include dinner; pre-registration is required. Proceeds benefit the historical society.

“The whole idea is to have a historic event that’s fun,” Kleiner said, adding riverfront residents used to have a similar parade about 20 years ago. “It’s the perfect area.”

Last year’s parade featured 14 watercraft and drew an estimated 1,000 spectators, including those stationed at Jiggs Landing and Linger Lodge restaurant, as well as at homes along the river.

Based on early registration, Kleiner expects to double the number of boats in the parade this year and see increased attendance, as well.

Kleiner has made some changes to the parade’s structure based on concerns from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Kayak and canoes will be in a separate category than motorboats for decoration judging. Those watercrafts will parade in front of Jiggs Landing, but will not traverse the six-mile stretch of river with the motorboats as they did last year.

Visitors to Jiggs Landing should expect boat ramp delays and parking shortages the day of the parade, Kleiner said.

IF YOU GO
Christmas Boat Parade
When: At dusk Saturday, Dec. 6

Where: Spectators can watch boats from Jiggs Landing Preserve, 6106 63rd St. E., Bradenton, or Linger Lodge Restaurant, 7205 85th St. Court E., Bradenton.

Details: Motorboats will travel along the Braden River from Jiggs Landing Preserve to Linger Lodge Restaurant. Participating kayak and canoes will parade at Jiggs Landing only for judging. The Old Braden River Historical Society will hold a parade after-party at Linger Lodge; cost is $18 and includes dinner. To enter a boat or buy after-party tickets, call Denise Kleiner at 320-8811.

Information: oldbradenriver.org.