IN PICTURES: LIGHTED BOATS BRIGHTEN KEY WEST HARBOR

a boat decorated with christmas lights on the water
Classic holiday figures — plus a Key West rooster — shine from the M/V Izzy Rose in Key West Harbor, garnering the boat the second-place honors. CAROL TEDESCO/KeyWestHolidayFest.com

For the 33rd year, the Schooner Wharf Bar brightened Key West Harbor with its annual Lighted Boat Parade. 

Vessels of all shapes and sizes cruised through the harbor and past the judges’ stand at Schooner Wharf, while crowds lined the harborwalk and live music by local musicians and schoolchildren filled the air. 

The only ice was in cocktails, but the mood, as always, was merry and bright.

a boat decorated with christmas lights on the water
Illuminated palm trees at the Key West Historic Seaport frame a U.S. Coast Guard Station Key West vessel as it takes a turn through the harbor during the 33rd annual Schooner Wharf Bar Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 14. CAROL TEDESCO/KeyWestHolidayFest.com
a boat decorated with christmas lights on the water
Classic holiday figures — plus a Key West rooster — shine from the M/V Izzy Rose in Key West Harbor, garnering the boat the second-place honors. CAROL TEDESCO/KeyWestHolidayFest.com
a boat is lit up with christmas lights
SV Schooner America 2.0 takes first place in the 33rd annual Schooner Wharf Bar Lighted Boat Parade. CAROL TEDESCO/KeyWestHolidayFest.com

Winners of this year’s Lighted Boat Parade:

  1. America 2.0
  2. Izzy Rose
  3. U.S. Coast Guard
  4. Salty Bottom
  5. Cruisin’ Tikis
  6. Danger
  7. Abbey Joy
  8. Havana Moon
  9. Argo Navis
  10. Caribbean Fury
  11. Sandie Cat
  12. Party Cat
Mandy Miles
Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.