By JOE BOCANEGRA
Special to the Parade
This weekend, the South Padre Island Lighted Boat Parade is expected to be in full swing.
Already in its 25th year, the parade has wowed and amazed the Island and Port Isabel residents with its boat entries and has become an iconic tradition for both cities.
“Thousands of spectators are expected to attend,” Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betty Wells said. “There are plenty of locations that they can watch the parade.”
She went on to say that folks sometimes wait until just before the event – which is sponsored by the chamber – to enter, citing weather conditions.
About 15-20 boats are expected to be part of this year’s parade, on par with prior events, each one with a different theme. Wells also made mention of how the parade doesn’t have a general theme and that each boat is usually expected to be decorated to the owner’s wishes.
“We have a wide selection of boats that usually come in the parade: power boats, breakaway cruisers, and so on,” she added. “Each boat has its own theme, if the owner wants to have one.”
The parade is to be this Saturday on Dec. 3. It will start at 6 p.m., beginning at the White Sand Marina, and will end in front of Louie’s Backyard on South Padre Island at 9 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend, and it is also free to enter. For more information, call Betty Wells at (956) 943-2262.
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