The 2006 Memorial Holiday Boat Parade, organized by the Island Estates Yacht Club, is scheduled for Saturday, December 9th beginning at 6:30PM with a rain date of December 10th. There will be a pre-parade captain's meeting Thursday, December 7th, at the Clearwater Yacht Club. The Island Estates Yacht Club lighted-water-parade is one of the largest and most popular marine events in the Clearwater area and will be celebrating its' 32nd year.
The parade also honors the memory of Island Estates Yacht Club members who passed away during the year. This year the water-pageant will honor Beverly Fey, Paul Adair and Jane Sharp.
This year the judging panel will be Rear Commodore Fran Briskman, Clearwater Yacht Club General Manager Tom Brusini, Fleet Captain Bill Blum, and Clearwater City Manager Bill Horne.
The decorated boats will assemble in Mandalay Channel located between Island Estates and Clearwater Beach at 6:00PM. At 6:30pm, Captain Thom Kicinski in Sea Dancer will lead the parade in and out of many of the Island Estate canals before heading over to Coachman Park around 8:00pm. From there the boats will go under the new Memorial Causeway Bridge turning into the Clearwater Marina channel before navigating to the Clearwater Yacht Club judging stand. Cash and gift certificate prizes, donated by many area businesses, will be awarded to the best decorated boats. v There is no parade entry fee. If you are interested in participating contact IEYC Fleet Captain William Blum at (727) 447-1230 or wblum1@tampabay.rr.com.