Annual Holiday Boat Parade on Hillsborough River 2018
Sun Dec 16, 5:30 PM - Sun Dec 16, 8:30 PM

Parade starts on the Hillsborough River at Lowry Park Boat Ramp and goes upriver to end between the I-275 & Nebraska Ave. bridges, where we say Happy Holidays to the Sulphur Springs community party at the Springs Park.

PARADE ROUTE: Starting at 6:00 pm, paddlers lead the parade, followed by powerboats, with the Safety Boat and Marine Patrol boat in between paddlers and powerboats. Once paddlers cross under I-275, proceed upriver along shoreline on either side of the river, leaving the broad middle section open for powerboats. After ~ 15-20 minutes in the Springs area, the Parade will be declared over, at which time powerboats will lead the way back downriver, followed by the Safety Boat and Marine Patrol and, finally, paddlers, to Lowry Park or your final destination on the river.

DONATIONS: The event is FREE!

RULES: All paddlers and representatives of power boats to check in no later than 5:30pm at Lowry Park boat ramp. Sierra Club Outings waiver forms must be signed and submitted if not done in advance. Watch for form via email after you buy your ticket or, better yet, complete in advance at goo.gl/nArQzh, and return completed form for each member of your boat's party to pmcomptonfl@gmail.com. Wristbands to be issued to all paddlers and powerboats to confirm all participants are checked in, and are required for all launches at Boat Ramp by parade participants.

SAFETY: All paddlers must wear Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices. All powerboats must carry enough Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices for all passngers on board. Powerboat captains must play "Designated Driver" role and abstain from alcohol during event.

Thanks to: Tampa Bay Sierra Club's Outings Program for once again co-sponsoring with Friends of the River. Let's have our biggest, safest parade yet.

BIG THANKS to our Parade Sponsor c.1949. Plan to come to c.1949's OFFICIAL HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE AFTER PARTY @ on their brick patio, 6905 N. Orleans Ave. @ W. Sligh Ave., just west of Lowry Park, around the corner from the Boat Ramp.