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Christmas Lighted Boat Parade
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Saturday, December 12, 2026
BCYC Foundation presents Boca Ciega Yacht Club's
40th Annual Lighted
Christmas Boat Parade!
Each year, BCYC members and members of the general public come together to spread holiday joy by decking the hulls and heading out on Boca Ciega Bay to parade the BCYC way! Boats will begin to gather in the bay around 5:30 pm. At 6:00 pm, the Gulfport Police boat will call the boats together to line up, and will then lead the parade. We start at the Gulfport Municipal Marina and pass by the Clam Bayou Nature Park and Osgood Point, on our way out into the bay, heading to Gulfport's Williams Pier and the Gulfport Casino before passing by the Gulfport beach. We then make our way through the communities of Town Shores, Pelican Bay, Skimmers Point, Bayview Circle, past Kipps Colony, near the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club (please note, that due to the Marina, we can only get halfway down that canal), then along Dolphin Blvd, to the Pasadena Golf Club Estates, across to Isla del Sol, and then we will head back to our slips. But it's about more than fun and merriment! BCYC is proud to have been part of Operation Santa for over 24 years! There is no fee to enter the parade. Instead, we ask each skipper to donate two (or more!) new, unwrapped toys to Operation Santa. Toys may be placed in the Gulfport Police Department's Operation Santa collection box at the BCYC clubhouse or dropped off at the Gulfport Police Department. NOTE: Operation Santa is run by the Gulfport Police Department. All donations are made to Operation Santa, not to BCYC or the BCYC Foundation, and neither organization keeps any portion of them. Consult your tax adviser regarding the deductibility of charitable donations. |
toy drive. NOTE: Operation Santa is run by the Gulfport Police Department. All donations are made to Operation Santa, not to BCYC or the BCYC Foundation, and neither organization keeps any portion of them. Consult your tax adviser regarding the deductibility of charitable donations. There is NO COST to view the parade and NO ONE should be charging for tickets to be IN the parade. If you see this, please let us know as it is FRAUD. Mandatory Captain's Meeting (all captains) is on Friday December 11th at 6:00 pm |
Information for Boat Skippers
Mandatory Captain's Meeting: Friday, December 11 @ 6:00 pm IN PERSON at the BCYC clubhouse. This will also serve as the Captain Check-in where each captain will pick up a numbered sign, zip ties, and a light to be affixed to the STARBOARD side of their boats. You can bring your Operation Santa donation that evening and place it in the collection box.
Operation Santa Donation:
In place of an entry fee, we ask each skipper to donate two (or more) new, unwrapped children's toys to Operation Santa. Supermarket gift cards are also welcome, as are checks made payable to "Operation Santa" (please do not make checks out to BCYC or the BCYC Foundation). Donations may be placed in the Operation Santa collection boxes at the BCYC clubhouse and the Gulfport Police Department beginning in November 2026.NOTE: Operation Santa is run by the Gulfport Police Department. All donations are made to Operation Santa, not to BCYC or the BCYC Foundation, and neither organization keeps any portion of them. Consult your tax adviser regarding the deductibility of charitable donations.
No Parade Fees:
There is NO COST to view the parade, and NO ONE should be charging for tickets to be IN the parade. If you see this, please let us know at boatparade@sailbcyc.org, as it is FRAUD.
Prizes: Prizes will be awarded at the After-Party or may be picked up on Sunday, December 13th between 9am - noon.
If you have any questions, please contact parade chairs Gary and Kathy Rhoads at boatparade@sailbcyc.org or 813-773 4784.
About the Post Parade Party
This year's post-parade party is for members and invited guests only and will be a straight-forward, traditional potluck event - where everyone is asked to bring a little "something" to the party! We're looking for a mixture of appetizers, entrees, sides, salads, and desserts. (to assist with planning, we recommend a dish with 6-8 servings)
Please plan on the party to start about 8:30 pm and there will be several gallons of hot, mulled cider on hand (also sometimes known as "wassail") with rum on the side!
