Jiggs Landing parade brightens community in Bradenton

The annual holiday parade featured 23 boats lighting up a route down the Braden River.

By Ian Swaby
| 12:30 p.m. December 11, 2022
| Updated 9:00 p.m. December 12, 2022

East County
Neighbors

On Dec. 11, the annual Holiday Boat Parade at Jiggs Landing Preserve flashed a trail down the Braden River to Linger Lodge and back.

Denise Kleiner, the general manager of the boat tours at the Bradenton preserve, said the 23 entries were the most ever in the event, which was celebrating its 10th year.

Kleiner said when the event began through the Old Braden River Historical Society, which she founded, it was small and involved a few residents gathering together more informally.

This year’s event began at Jiggs Landing Outpost where a crowd cheered on boats that featured a host of holiday lights, with themes ranging from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to Santa Claus’ sleigh.

After a ride around Evers Reservoir, the parade entries disappeared into the mangroves, heading toward Linger Lodge. There, many of the boaters gathered together for dinner.

Kleiner said despite its growing size, the parade still served as an extremely local event capable of bringing the community together.

There are no fees or registration requirements for the event.

“Just be there and have fun,” she said.

She noted that the concessions at Jiggs Landing and Linger Lodge try to help each other out with business when possible.

“In terms of lighting and music, every boat was a little different,” said Lakewood Ranch's Robert Dewey, who came to watch the event.

Tara's Dee and Jack Boenau went all out to participate in the Holiday Boat Parade at Jiggs Landing.

East County's 10-year-old Genevieve Bettle, her aunt, Myakka City's Patricia McKeithen, her twin sister Daphne Bettle, and her family's dog Freddie prepare for the parade.

Bradenton's Sue and Rick Bouchard watch a performance by the band The Divebombers.

Creekwood's Kevin Dillingham entertains his 1-year-old son Jackson Dillingham at Jigg's Landing.

The Divebombers — Chad Clifford, George Worthmore and Nat Langston — perform prior to the parade.

Bradenton's Kim and Ross Wright have the perfect seat to watch as the boats line up for the parade.

East County's Kristen Glor and McQuade Lyons have perfect seats to watch the Holiday Boat Parade.

The Peco family awaits the start of the event from their boat.

East County's Gris Bettle hangs a strand of lights on his family's boat.

Mill Creek's Lewis Osborne, a Jiggs Landing employee, gets a turn to hold a plush Max which accompanied Tara's Dee Boenau and Jack Boenau on their Grinch-themed boat.

A variety of boats dock at Linger Lodge.

East County's Dee Boenau, Linger Lodge owner Rita Lewis, and Lisa Boenau's husband Jack Boenau meet after the boats arrive at the restaurant.

Bradenton's Vern Bratvold prepares his boat.

Tara's Moe and Lisa Pyeatt arrive at Jiggs Landing as their alter egos, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

Sarasota's Don Traver waves to the crowd as he passes by Jiggs Landing.

Boats approach Jiggs Landing at the end of the parade.

Bradenton's Tyson Peco ties down at Linger Lodge to have dinner.

A boat approaches Linger Lodge during the Holiday Boat Parade.

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Dee Boenau’s name.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.