Punta Gorda's Annual Christmas Floating Opera -- the Peace River Boat Parade Set for Sunday December 11

For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home.  And when your home is in tropical Punta Gorda, it means palm trees aglow rather than snow and it also means lights on the water.  Lights rimming the canals and  decking the boats in colorful displays.  And on December 11 -- a Sunday this year -- our magnificent harbor will be illuminated  once again during  the first of Punta Gorda's  Christmas Boat parades -- the 22nd Annual Peace River Boat Parade sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce with support from Smugglers and Fishermen's Village.
   

We've already made our reservation to hop on a boat and be a part of the floating Christmas opera, which is perhaps one of the best ways to experience the parade.  To register a boat in the parade, here is the form. Other options include mooring out in your or better yet a friend's boat and watching from the harbor or selecting one of the many shore side viewing spots.

The best viewing spots are Edgewater Lake in Charlotte Harbor, Fishermen's Village, the bridges of US41 North and Southbound (no chairs permitted at this location) and Laishley Park Marina, the final stop of the parade. At Fishermen's and the Marina, there is usually an announcer who will tell you a bit about the boats passing by.

The chamber has announced a tentative schedule and map with times.  Click here to view.  

A new more private viewing spot has been added for this year's parade. A viewing party with a smaller crowd will be held at Isles Yacht Club offering a great location to view the parade up close. There is a $15 per person charge. Sodas and light snacks will be available as well as a cash bar. To reserve this location, contact the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce.


There will be narration for the parade at three sights -- Fishermen's Village, Laishley Park and the Isles Yacht Club, describing the boats, their captain's information and their decorative theme. Note that due to height restrictions going under the US 41 bridges, some boats (mainly the sailboats) will be unable to make the final leg to Laishley Park.


The parade, now in its 22nd year, has joined forces this year with Toys for Tots to act as a collection point for gifts for less fortunate children in our community. At the Isles Yacht Club, Fishermen's Village and Laishley Park Pier, there will be a collection bin and a team from Toys for Tots, who will collect your donations and then pass them over to the Sea Tow boat in the parade for delivery to Toys for Tots. If you are attending any of these three locations, consider bringing an unwrapped new gift for ages 6-13 specifically, as this is where the local need is.