Christmas Boat Parade in Patchogue Village

On Sunday November 18, 2007, the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, The Grucci Fireworks Company, and Patchogue Village, sponsored the Annual Christmas Boat Parade. I have attended this event faithfully, as a spectator, for many years. This year I actually participated in the Boat Parade, by serving as a crew member on one of the boats. Pleasure Boats and even a few Ferries were elaborately decorated, and piloted down the entire length of Patchogue River, for the spectators to enjoy.




















Click the bottom arrow, twice, to start videos!

The amount of effort that went into decorating these vessels was monumental! I was amazed to see three young ladies dressed up in Christmas Attire, doing the Can Can on their boat. They actually looked very professional. The people just loved them! The winner actually constructed a float on top of his boat. His display looked like a Float that you would see in the Macy's Parade! The parade was complete with a Judges Stand, and an announcer!

No Christmas Parade would be complete without the arrival of Santa Clause! Santa arrived one week earlier then usual. He did not arrive by land, but by water. Santa was sitting on top of another Boat, waving and talking to everyone!



Before the Parade, the Boat Captains gathered in the Great South Bay, with their Decorative Display lights "off." Thank God the water was calm. The Captains were communicating with "Event Control," via Marine Radio. Then came the command to "Turn on the Lights!" My Generator, would not start! Murphy's Law. " A Generator, will not start, when it knows that you are really depending on it!" It eventually did start!



From the Boat, I was able to get a perspective on the parade that truly "Jump Started my Holiday Season!" I saw about Five Thousand people, standing along the banks of the Patchogue River, really "getting into the festivities." The spectators "Just made my day!" I saw hundreds of young Patchogue Residents, demonstrate that "there is life beyond Rap Music!" To my surprise, the young residents were screaming, singing, and waving their arms above their heads, in time with the music, that was played from every boat! The message was clear; they were really enjoying the parade, and they were well rounded enough to participate in it! I am very proud to be a member of this community!























At the end of the Parade came the grand finale, "The Grucci Fireworks!"





More Information at the following URL:
http://www.patchogue.com/boatparade/index.htm


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