Monday, December 14, 2015

Beaufort Boat Parade

 

We nearly missed the Beaufort Christmas boat parade trying to find a parking place. It seemed like everyone in town got there before we did and was already at the harbor. I was excited because I had never seen a boat parade before.

Boats were already lined up and making their way toward the park when we found a place along the water.

 

Many of the boats moored in the harbor were also decorated with lights and trees and Santas and their owners had ringside seats on the deck to watch the parade along with us landlubbers.

 

Here they come, passing just a few feet in front of us, singing and waving and encouraging us to sing along.

This sailboat is towing a Christmas tree in its dinghy.

 

 

 

A sea theme here with lobster, dolphin, flamingo, etc. There aren't really any lobsters or flamingos in South Carolina. We do see plenty of dolphins, though.

 

Frosty is on the bow. No theme music for this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frosty is trailing along in this dinghy. I bet you can guess which song this group was singing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oops!

Almost lost Santa!

 

 

 

When the boat parade was over everyone gathered around the Christmas tree and the Parris Island Marine Corps Jazz Band entertained us for another hour or so.

 

 

Before they started to play, they laid their white hats in a circle at the base of the tree.

We splashed out on a bag of popcorn to make it a perfect evening.

 

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20 comments:

  1. GosiaDecember 14, 2015 at 1:51 PM

    cynthia the boat parade sounds fantastic for me a person who lives about 700 km from the sea... great idea love from europe

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  2. JoyfulDecember 14, 2015 at 1:52 PM

    So lovely. I love lights on boats and sailboats. We have an annual carol ship here in Vancouver. I think there are several companies actually that host these. I've never gone but I love to see them cruising the harbour with their festive lights. Enjoy your holidays :-)

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  3. HuggybearDecember 14, 2015 at 1:57 PM

    I reckon that would be a wonderful night experience and being so close to the
    activity on Beaufort Harbour.
    I have only ever seen two similar events held at night and these years ago.
    One on Sydney Harbour and the other on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok,
    both very spectacular and naturally very different.
    I hope the weather was agreeable and not too cold.
    Cheers
    Colin
    PS: Glad you were able to access - the "Please Explain"
    person - yep they would make good mates - ha ha.

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  4. Olde Dame PenniwigDecember 14, 2015 at 2:10 PM

    Oh, thank you for sharing! I love a boat parade and haven't seen one in 14 years! Lovely and fun!

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  5. Mac n' JanetDecember 14, 2015 at 2:32 PM

    Thanks for the photos, they do one near us and we're too dang lazy to walk down to it.

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  6. Linda KayDecember 14, 2015 at 3:33 PM

    Goes with my parade post today, only yours is on the water. So beautiful with the lights reflected!

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  7. Henny PennyDecember 14, 2015 at 5:15 PM

    That would be so pretty to watch in person. I really enjoyed the pictures. I've never heard of a boat parade.

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  8. RedDecember 14, 2015 at 6:19 PM

    Now that's a different parade!! Beaufort? It's also a sea in the Arctic at the mouth of the Mackenzie river. Now isn't that a contrast?

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  9. KateDecember 14, 2015 at 6:50 PM

    This sounds and looks like a wonderful evening. Holiday lights are special and they must be outstanding on the boats in the water. I LOVE Beaufort! Are you familiar with Joan Perry's Charleston Daily Photo blog?

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    Replies
    1. CynthiaDecember 15, 2015 at 11:02 AM

      I wasn't familiar with the blog but I looked it up and ended up reading quite a few past posts. Thanks for the heads up!

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  10. Margaret DDecember 14, 2015 at 11:27 PM

    Sounds as if you had great fun. I too have never seen a boat parade like that.

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  11. mamasmercantileDecember 15, 2015 at 12:12 AM

    Sounds like a great night out and so unusual. I have only ever seen one boat parade before and this was in the South of France many years ago but certainly a sight for sore eyes.

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  12. biebkriebelsDecember 15, 2015 at 3:02 AM

    Wow, what a nice event to visit, I like it.

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  13. MariaDecember 15, 2015 at 3:32 AM

    What a wonderful event! Love how the boats are decorated...sounds like a great night out!

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  14. Fun60December 15, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    That's a completely different way of enjoying the festive season. Looked like great fun.

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  15. BarbDecember 15, 2015 at 11:01 AM

    Magical to see the lights reflected on the water. It's snowing so hard here, I can hardly imagine it!

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  16. Anne@ArtyGreen in Paradise December 15, 2015 at 11:42 AM

    I'd never heard of a boat parade before - what a good idea, with the singers too.

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  17. AnonymousDecember 16, 2015 at 12:14 PM

    Such an interesting celebration! I have seen a boat parade, but not one for Christmas. One year there was a boat parade on the Mississippi River in St. Paul for the 4th of July.

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  18. troutbirderDecember 16, 2015 at 4:38 PM

    Spectacular with all the colored lights on the water!!

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  19. Far Side of FiftyDecember 18, 2015 at 7:44 PM

    What fun, we could do that in Minnesota this year! BUT it is -2 F right now and headed lower so it will be an ice making night:)

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