HOW ABOUT A BOAT PARADE ENTRY?
Like to have fun? Like to be creative? Want a free dock for Venetian Saturday? Then consider becoming a participant in the 78th annual Venetian Boat Parade. The Venetian Boat Parade is the longest running tradition of the Charlevoix Venetian Festival. This event attracts thousands of spectators every year as boats of all shapes and sizes adorned with hundreds of lights, music, and animation parade around Round Lake starting at 10:00 pm.
In the spirit of celebrating our new park, this year’s theme is “Welcome to East Park.” You can decorate for our theme or come up with one on your own. The objective is to have fun and represent the spirit of the Venetian Festival. This is a family event, and along with the fireworks extravaganza that follows, is the crescendo of the Venetian Festival.
Applications are available online and we are limiting the number of boats to 16 this year so get your application in early! Previous participants will be given seniority consideration based on previous quality of entry. Boat length is limited to 65’. Lights are available from the Harbor Master’s office with a $10 per strand deposit and are on a first come first serve basis and will initially be limited to 15 per vessel.
Boats will be judged on the following categories: Best of Fleet, Best Large Power Boat (over 35’), Best Small Power Boat (under 35’), Best Large Sailboat (over 35’), Best Small Sailboat (under 35’), Most Creative and Best Illuminated. We are also encouraging all boats in the marina, even if not in the parade, to get in the Venetian spirit and decorate your boat dockside. There will be a People’s Choice Award for the best dockside decorated boat.
It’s our boaters that make this event, so please join us for this exciting Venetian tradition. It’s a great way to be a part of the Venetian Festival and have fun in the process. Just be careful not to go “overboard” with enthusiasm. For more information please contact Linda Bradley at 231-547-6700 or lbradley@charlevoixmfg.com .
