Lighted boats will illuminate Key Largo’s Blackwater Sound during the annual Key Largo Boat Parade on Dec. 10. Organized by the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club, the evening will culminate with an extravagant fireworks display sponsored by Plantation Boat Mart.
Boats can enter the lighted parade for free, and a total of $2,500 in cash and prizes are on the line in various categories for small and large vessels. This year’s boat parade theme is “A Cartoon Christmas.”
“The theme will give boat parade participants the ability to get creative with some of their favorite holiday movies and cartoon shows,” said Lisa Feliciano, Key Largo Sunset Rotary past president and organizer of the Key Largo Boat Parade. “Plenty of prizes and gifts are available for those who enter their boats.”
With assistance from Sea Tow, boats will line up near Dusenbury Creek Green Marker 41 around 6:30 p.m. in anticipation for a 7:30 p.m. start. Spectators can get a good glimpse of the boat parade from Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill, Sundowners, Caribbean Club and Reefhouse Resort & Marina. Boats will continue the procession toward Stillwright Point.
Following the parade, fireworks will light the skies of Blackwater Sound. The fireworks display is sponsored by Plantation Boat Mart and Dennis De La Torre, owner. Located in Tavernier, Plantation Boat Mart has been a part of the community for 36 years. De La Torre bought the business Oct. 6, 1996.
“The Keys have always been water related,” he said. “I remember growing up in the Keys and going over there and seeing the boat parade and seeing fireworks. I just wanted to give back to the community and bring that whole unity. We thought, ‘Who doesn’t like fireworks displays?’ Why not do it during the actual boat parade.”
Those wishing to sign up their boats for the parade can visit keylargoboatparade.com and click on the parade entry form at the top of the page. Stay up to date with all the happenings by following the Key Largo Boat Parade on Facebook. Proceeds from the boat parade go to support the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club’s efforts to assist the community.
