How Best to View the 10th Annual PGI Rim Canal Lighted Boat Parade in Punta Gorda

Saturday, December 18 marks the 10th time that lighted boats will awe spectators lining the canals and partying in their homes in Punta Gorda Isles.  The first year I lived in Punta Gorda, I rode on one of those big cruisers with Pop and Mom Santa Claus and nodding reindeer.  It was great fun singing and yelling out to those along the shore.  In the last few  years, we've watched land side at various parties or vacant lots along the rim.  Either way, the lighted floating opera is a Punta Gorda not-to-miss Christmas event.

The free holiday celebration features boats of all types and sizes, adorned for the  season with lights, decorated in holiday themes, and other festive trimmings.  Many of the boats have sound systems that echo popular Christmas tunes down the valleys of water.  The vessels  edge very close to the seawalls and docks giving cheering on-lookers the ability to gawk at all the creative, imaginative decorations and performers. “Past years have seen the Grinch, lighted pelicans, sea horses, manatees, gingerbread men, Santa’s sleigh, menorahs, and doves of peace," according to Parade Coordinator Tom Little. “We have trumpeters, dancing candy canes, gaily wrapped gifts, toy soldiers, carolers and even bagpipes. It’s an unforgettable magical night, a definite highlight of the holiday season.”  Little noted.

To watch the parade, either find a party in PGI to get invited to or a suitable vacant lot along the parade route.  Here's how the sailing Christmas festival will move through the canal system:  

Once the parade is assembled it will proceed to Sunset Lake where it joins the rim canal.  In this initial stretch  there are many viewing areas  starting with the Bal Harbor area.  The colorful spectacle then  moves from side to side along the rim canal to accommodate the largest crowds at those locations.

The route leaves the rim canal and enters the Key Largo Lagoon. This turn is marked with a Coast Guard Auxiliary Boat with amber flashing lights. The route turns right and then immediately left to enter the  Lagoon. This popular viewing area has vacant lots around the far end.  The boats will steer close to the seawalls to let the spectators get a good look at their decorating efforts.

The floating Christmas celebration then heads back onto the rim canal, the route turns right into LaCosta Island Lagoon, also marked with the amber lights of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. This broad canal has many vacant lots for viewing. The boats sail to the end of the lagoon and make a 180 degree turn and return to the rim canal.

Back on the rim canal, the lighted serpentine of boats turns towards Christmas Cove, which is also marked by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  It then  returns to the rim canal and follows the stream all the way to the Ponce Inlet connection, where it turns right.

Finally the parade enters Yellowfish Lagoon and proceeds counter clockwise.  It leaves the lagoon and proceeds to the Dolphin Club Condo lagoon. It does not go to the end of this lagoon but turns back  to Yellowfish Lagoon, continuing  counterclockwise to Ponce Inlet canal.

The best streets for viewing the parade are along Bal Harbor, La Costa Island , Key Largo and Antiqua (in my opinion the best because the canal here is narrow and you get a very good view of all boats coming up the rim and going by towards the Ponce Inlet entrance.  There are large vacant lots right near the Ponce Inlet entrance at the end of Antiqua.)

Here is a complete map of the route.  And to find out more about participating in the boat parade, go to http://www.puntagordaboatparade.com/.