Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade dashes through the bay

Santa came dashing through the Sarasota Bay on Saturday night, but not in a one-horse open sleigh — rather a boat with a lot more horsepower. 

Suncoast Charities for Children and Marina Jack presented Sarasota’s 36th annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on Dec 10.

Bayfront Park and Marina Jack attracted hundreds of families to the waterfront. Many brought their lawn chairs, blankets and snacks as they waited for night to fall and the brightly festive boats to showcase their holiday spirit.

Director of Special Events Lisa Baer said the organization starts planning the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights around September and October, but most of the boat registrations start coming in around October and November.

“We invited residents from The Haven, which is one of the non-profit agencies that we provide funding to. They are bringing out 12 special needs clients that live year round at The Haven and we will have Santa saying hi to all of them,”  Baer said.

The parade started near Longboat Key and came down under the Ringling Bridge and spent most of the time at the Marina Jack Yacht Basin area.

Twenty-five boats participated in this year’s boat parade. Each boat did a 360 turn to exhibit their decorations to the crowd and a set of judges on the Marina dock. Many boats blew their horns and blasted holiday music as the crowd cheered their favorite boat.

“We always love to have this event. Since it’s a free community event, everyone comes out and the best view is at Bayfront Park right by Marina Jack,”  Baer said.