2018 Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
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For the 24th year in a row, the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) is kicking off the holiday season by hosting the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade.
From center consoles to pleasure yachts, dozens of South Florida boats will be decking their hulls in colorful lights and cruising through the intracoastal for a spectacular show of holiday spirit. The parade will be led by a Zambelli Fireworks travelling display, will begin at the north end of Lake Worth Lagoon a 6 pm, and will travel north on the intracoastal to end with a grand finale at the Jupiter Lighthouse around 8pm, courtesy of Jetty’s, Square Grouper, and U-Tiki.
Mo and Sally from KOOL 105.5 will be aboard the Loggerhead Marina Grand Marshal Boat, and the big man himself- Santa Clause will be aboard the last boat of the parade.
The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade benefits the U.S. Marine Reserves Toys for Tots Program and Little Smiles of South Florida. In 2017, the MIAPBC collected more than 11,000 toys for needy children in, making this event one of the top toy collecting events in Palm Beach County. View multiple toy drop-off locations HERE.
The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade will award over $10,000 in cash and prizes to multiple boats, including standouts in each size category, a “Best of Parade” winner, and a new social media contest. Boats of all sizes are welcome, and there is no entry fee required. Judging will be based on lights, enthusiasm, and themed décor.
Holiday Boat Parade Watch Party in Harbourside Place to Benefit AustinBlu Foundation
The best place to watch the parade is from the rooftop of Jupiter’s Harbourside Place, so this year they are generously hosting a Holiday Boat Parade Watch Party to benefit the AustinBlu Foundation.
In case you’re not a Jupiter local, the AustinBlu Foundation is very close to our community’s hearts. The foundation was formed in the wake of a tragedy involving two young boys who were lost at sea on July 24th, 2015. Their love for the ocean reminds Jupiter boaters to take great joy in boating, but to respect the majesty of the sea by taking precautions to prevent this devastating accident from happening again. AustinBlu is dedicated to raising awareness, providing education, and promoting technology such as EPIRBs (emergency position-locating radio beacon) to promote boater safety.
This exclusive event will run from 6:00PM until 9:00PM, and will include dinner and an open bar. Tickets are $150 per person, and can be purchased at www.austinblufoundation.org/shop. Space for this popular event is limited, so purchase your ticket soon!
Public Viewing Sites From North Palm Beach to Jupiter
Jupiter Riverwalk
Waterway Park
Lighthouse Park
Bridge Openings
To allow parade vessels to pass freely through bridge openings, corresponding road closures are listed below. Due to weather, winds, tides and currents we cannot predict the EXACT time bridges along the parade route will be going up and down. Here are our best estimates based on past parades.
Parker/US 1 Bridge (North Palm Beach)
Will open sometime between 6:00 and 6:15. Permit allows for a 1 hour opening.
PGA Bridge
Will open sometime between 6:30 and 6:45. Permit allows for a 45 minute opening.
Donald Ross Bridge
Will open sometime between 7:15 and 7:30. Permit allows for a 45 minute opening.
Indiantown Road Bridge
Will open sometime between 8:00 and 8:15. Permit allows for a 45 minute opening.
Jupiter Federal Bridge
Will open sometime between 8:15 and 8:30. Permit allows for a 45 minute opening.