In the light: Christmas Boat Parade expands on coast
PANAMA CITY — The 29th annual Christmas Boat Parade of Lights returns Saturday night in a nautical tradition that has expanded to holiday activities at the Panama City and St. Andrews marinas.
Boat Committee organizer Dr. Michael Rohan has been a part of the parade since the late ’80s, when he and his kids tried to outdo his neighbor’s family in a little friendly boat decorating competition.
As Rohan has gone from a 28-foot boat to a 35-foot boat, his competitive spirit has grown, too. You likely will hear his boat before you see it.
“I thought this thing can make a lot of noise and I put it on the boat and took it to the parade. We snuck up on the judges — and they hooted and hollered. It gets the crowd excited,” said Rohan, who added the cannon two years ago. “The cannon got started because I have a lot of FSU neighbors and I graduated from the UF. When Tim Tebow was doing so good, I bought a cannon to make noise. Every time Florida scored a touchdown, I shot it off in the background.”
He credits the cannon for helping 2014 Boat Parade Corporate winner Bay Lincoln-Dodge-Hyundai.
“George Gainer’s boat was right before us, and they were singing Christmas carols and every time I shot the cannon, they would fall down screaming,” Rohan said. “I think my cannon helped them win. It was very humorous. They would fall and get back up and start singing again every time.
Last year’s first place winners also included the Panama City Beach Police for Government, Kismet from owner James Melvin in the Sail category, and Reel Teal with owner Rob Baggett in Power; Barnacle 2 from owner Ron Merritt was the Raffle Winner.
“I have a big blow-up airplane on the front and last year I shot a hole in it, so I had to get a new airplane,” said Rohan, who plans to be a little more careful this year. “I am looking forward to having fun and scaring people a little bit.”
Last year’s Boat Parade brought in 37 entries, and 47 boats were registered for this year’s parade by Thursday morning.
“We set the stage last year for sure,” said Christmas Boat Parade Committee organizer Veronica Kemeny, who is returning as co-emcee with WJHG TV-7’s Paris Janos.
She admitted the Bay County Sheriff’s Office — Grinch in a prison cell — was her favorite last year, and this year: "I am excited about the Air Force Drone participating this year! At 120 feet it will be an impressive boat to have in the Christmas Boat Parade."
The 2015 Boat Parade, sponsored by MarineMax, has entries ranging from a “Minion boat,” the Seadition with “despicable minions who have caught a ride on their favorite butterfly to spread the Christmas cheer” to the Beach House boat with Santa, Mrs. Claus and helpers in winter lights.
All boats begin lining up about 5 p.m. in a “Wagon Wheel” in front of the St. Andrew Bay Yacht Club before beginning the procession at 5:30 p.m. to the Panama City Marina. They will be judged by Panama City Mayor Greg Brudnicki, Lynn Haven Mayor Margo Anderson and Jennifer Vigil, president and chief executive officer of the Panama City Community Development Corp., as they make their way by the Panama City Marina before heading to the St. Andrews Marina.
“Hopefully it will get people downtown and get children in the Christmas spirit, get them inspired,” Rohan said.
The event also is a chance to shine a light in the life of a foster child by donating a gift.
“We’ve partnered with Children’s Home Society to collect unwrapped presents for kids,” Kemeny added.
Children’s Home Society serves 2,400 children in the surrounding area.
Santa Zones at the Downtown and St. Andrews marinas will be collecting new, unwrapped toys. Santa Claus magically will be available for pictures at both locations.
“This year we are going to have more acts and more food,” Kemeny said.
Each marina will be filled with vendors and holiday entertainment from 4-10 p.m.
Panama City Marina vendors include Tin-Tin’s Oriental Food, Tom’s Hotdogs, K.C. Foods, Millie’s, Three Oaks Winery and two beer trailers. Retail vendors also will be set up with Mermaids & Moonbeams, Asthma Angels, Jewelry Box, Cricket Wireless, Wyndham, Chapman Motor Sports, Lighted Sea-Wall, car clubs, a veterans village and carnival games. Martino & Tirado will provide easy listening/instrumental music, including Christmas tunes.
Vendor food selections at the St. Andrews Marina include Dovalina Wood-fired Pizza, Grandma Di’s Kettle Korn, Back Porch BBQ, Captain’s Lady Snoballs and coffee from Chez Amavida to cleanse your palate after the Fruit Cake eating contest sponsored by Four Winds Grille & Spirits.
The St. Andrews Marina also will host a live DJ and a Stocking Stuffer Raffle featuring items from Historic St. Andrews merchants. The Holiday Gift Market will be set up under the pavilion at the St. Andrews Marina from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, call the Panama City Marina at 850-872-7272, email Marina Capt. Stan Jones at sjones@pc.gov or visit PCBoatParade.com.
