Photo from last year's event, courtesy of Suncoast Charities for Children

Suncoast Charities for Children will be holding the 35th Annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on December 11 and area boaters are invited to enter free of charge.  The event begins at 6:00pm with vessels making a short transit across Sarasota Bay and entering the Bayfront Park area at approx. 7:00pm.  Best areas for viewing are Marina Jack, Bayfront Park, and Centennial Park.  All vessels must be over 21 feet in length. Boaters can submit a private or corporate entry and will be judged for cash prizes. An awards ceremony will take place immediately after the parade on the Marina Jack fuel dock. Greg Corvelle, General Manager of Marina Jack and Lisa Baer, Director of Special Events of Suncoast Charities for Children are co-chairs for this year’s event.

Participants and spectators are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped book or toy to the parade as a donation to the Suncoast Charities for Children Holiday Toy Drive. Holiday donations will be distributed to among local non-profit organizations benefitting children, teens, and adults with special needs.

To register a boat, make an online donation or for more event information visit suncoastcharitiesforchildren.org

Photo from last year's event, courtesy of Suncoast Charities for Children