Rotary Club To Host 36th Annual Riverview Lighted Boat Parade

RIVERVIEW, FL — For the 36th year, boaters will deck out the decks of their vessels with colorful lights and decorations for the annual Alafia Lighted Boat Parade and Chili Cookoff Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Riverview Civic Center, 11020 Park Drive, Riverview.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of FishHawk-Riverview, the parade of lighted boats will start at the U.S. 301 bridge at 5:45 p.m. and travel past the civic center and Beer Shed, then circle back to end at River's Edge Bar & Grill where awards will be distributed for best-decorated boats.

Boaters can compete in the boat parade for a $25 donation. The best-decorated boat will win $500.

In addition to the boat parade, residents will be able to sample chili prepared by the area's best chili chefs for a $5 donation.

A $100 gift certificate to an area restaurant goes to the first-place winner, a $75 gift certificate to second place and a $50 gift certificate to third place.

Also on tap is a gingerbread house competition. The gingerbread houses will be auctioned off to support Rotary service projects including leadership training for youth at a camp in Lakeland and Rotary International’s fight against ending Polio in the world.

Additionally, there will be refreshments, live holiday music and a 50/50 raffle will benefit county parks.

The title sponsor for the event is Christopher Ligori & Associates, Attorneys At Law. Other sponsors are River’s Edge Bar and Grill, Bill’s Prescription Center, Four Paws Veterinary Hospital, First Baptist Riverview, Serenity Meadows and Hawthorne Village.