On Saturday, December 17th at 6:00 pm,
BCYC presents their
37th Annual Christmas Boat Parade!
Each year, BCYC members and invited friends come together to spread holiday joy by decking the hulls and heading out on Boca Ciega Bay to parade the BCYC way!
(click image to download the flyer)
Mandatory Skipper's Meeting: Friday, December 16th @ 6:00 pm and it will be IN PERSON at the BCYC clubhouse. (A separate invite will be sent to all registered skippers for this meeting) This will also serve as the Skipper Check-in where each skipper will pick up a numbered sign, zip ties, and a light to be affixed to the STARBOARD side of their boats. You can also drop off your Boat Entry "fee" at the same time.
Please respect those wearing masks and social distancing!
Boat Entry Fee: Two (or more) unwrapped children's presents OR a check made out to "Operation Santa", the City of Gulfport's annual toy drive. Supermarket gift cards are also welcome.
Prizes: Prizes will be mailed directly to the skipper of each boat after the parade.
If you have any questions, please contact parade chair Jenn Buckley at (813) 323-5852, or email boatparade@sailbcyc.org.
Boats begin gathering in the bay at 5:30pm
Parade starts at 6:00 pm
We start at the Gulfport Municipal Marina and pass by the BCYC clubhouse on our way out into the bay heading to Gulfport's Williams Pier and the beach, passing by the Gulfport Casino. We 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.
(click image to download the parade route)
But it's about more than fun and merriment! Participants need only a simple fee to enter - two (or more!) unwrapped toys for Operation Santa. Operation Santa, coordinated by the Gulfport Police Department, collects toys for the children of Gulfport whose holidays would not be as cheerful without the generosity of the community.
Everyone is encouraged to drop off unwrapped gifts and boxes will be available beginning November 5th.
Boca Ciega Yacht Club is proud to have been a sponsor of Operation Santa for 22 years!
