For more than two decades, the Palm Valley Boat Parade has been a holiday tradition and the perfect way for many to start one of the most joyous and festive times of the year.
Held on the first Saturday in December, which this year is Dec. 2, the parade route will go down the Intracoastal Waterway starting at 6 p.m. just south of the Palm Valley Bridge on County Road 210 and traveling north about seven miles before wrapping up at the end of Marsh Landing around 8 p.m.
According to Wendy Patton, with the parade, the lights on all the boats reflecting off the water as they cruise down the waterway is quite a spectacle and something the entire family, no matter what age, can appreciate and enjoy.
Although there are other boat parades around, which can be common with Florida having so many waterways, what makes the Palm Valley Boat Parade so unique is how naturally narrow the Palm Valley portion of the Intracoastal Waterway is, which in turn creates a closer view for residents lining the shores trying to catch a glimpse of all the displays.
The public is invited to view and take part in the parade, as the registration to get involved in the event either as a boater or as an owner of a dock along the route.
Both boats and docks are encouraged to decorate and enter the contest and the most festive boats and docks will be voted on at the conclusion of the parade.
Registration as either a boat or a dock participant can be found by going to palmvalleyboatparade.com and clicking on the “boat registration” tab.
Those viewing from the shore will vote on the best decorated boats, while the boat captains will be the ones voting on their favorite docks.
Residents and families living along the waterway are known for planning big parties around watching the boats float by their homes, but there are also several public options to view the parade route from, including many restaurants located along the Intracoastal Waterway, such as LULU’s, Barbara Jeans on the Water, Palm Valley Fish Camp, Palm Valley Outdoors and Valley Smoke.
Parking at the viewing area sites can become crowded closer to the start of the parade, so spectators are encouraged to arrive early to eliminate the extra stress of traffic.
Parade participants must attend the mandatory captain's safety meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion in Palm Valley located at 560 N. Wilderness Trail in Ponte Vedra Beach.
For the dock competition, judging will be limited to the lights and decorations on the dock itself, so decorated homes or any other structures not over the water are not to be factored into the judge’s final decision.
All kinds of boats are allowed to take part in the parade, from power boats to sail boats and all different sizes, with boats less than and more than 30 feet welcome.
