Freeport Boat Parade Of Lights, Tree Lighting This Weekend

The Village of Freeport is kicking off the holiday season on Saturday when the Chamber of Commerce hosts the village's 11th annual Nautical Mile Holiday Boat Parade of Lights and Decorating Contest.

The unique holiday tradition starts at 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 at the head of the Nautical Mile on Woodcleft Avenue in Freeport, and will be preceded by the village's Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. at the Esplanade on Woodcleft Avenue.

"The annual boat parade is a Freeport tradition that does a great job of kicking off the season and getting everyone into the holiday spirit," said Mayor Robert Kennedy. "It is really a spectacular sight to behold."

More than a dozen boats, led by the Freeport Fire Department’s Rescue Fireboat, will compete to light up Freeport’s Nautical Mile and spread holiday cheer in an hour-long procession down Woodcleft Canal, past Sea Breeze Park to Randal Bay and back. The Freeport Fireboat will prominently display a giant number "125" to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the village's incorporation.

The parade, organized by the Freeport Chamber of Commerce, will be collecting ballots from the public to decide this year’s favorite boat.

Select restaurants along the parade route will be offering free meals to children under 12 (one child per adult) between 6 and 8 p.m., and offer spectacular views that are perfect for watching the sparkling boats go by.

To register your boat or reserve a spot on a holiday party boat, please contact the Freeport Chamber of Commerce office at 516-223-8840.

"Dozens of boats participate every year in what is a growing annual tradition," Kennedy said. "It’s wonderful watching our community come together every year to help make this possible and have a little bit of fun."

Image via the City of Clearwater Facebook page