2018 Boat Parade Record-Breaking Success

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Dee Queen II (Credit: NBPL)

(PRESS RELEASE)_(NORTH PALM BEACH, FL) The 24th Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade (PBHBP) and 19th Annual Toy Drive kicked off the 2018 holiday season in early December. The events resulted in the collection of over 11,000 donated toys, a record of nearly 70 decorated parade boats, more than $10,000 in prizes awarded to parade participants, and tens of thousands of spectators. The 11,273 donated toys made the event the largest toy collecting event for Toys for Tots in the entire country, and a top collector for Little Smiles. 

The events, hosted by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, Inc. (MIAPBC), took place on Saturday, December 1 in North Palm Beach to benefit Toys for Tots and Little Smiles. In addition to the tens of thousands in attendance to view the parade in-person, over 14,000 people were able to view the parade from the comfort of their own homes with the new WPBF Facebook Live stream of the event and on the WPBF app.

Boat owners and their crews came out to support the toy drive and have fun by competing against each other for more than $10,000 in cash and prizes. Entrants spent hours planning and setting up displays that contained thousands of lights, inflatables, props and more. Boats of all sizes were welcomed to enter with no entry fee required.

Judges also selected winners in a variety of categories, including under 25’, 25’-35’, over 35’ and corporate vessels. In the under 25’ category, Ms. Be Haven, Suits Us Too and Too Much Fun finished first through third respectively. Blue Rose finished first place in the 25’-35’ group with Eagles Nest finishing second and Aaron Liscomb coming in third. The over 35’ group was more competitive than ever before with two vessels – Freedom and Cornelius tying for first place and Honu finishing third. In the corporate boat group, Dee Queen II finished first, Country Club finished second and the Food Yacht came in third.

Dozens of fun and valuable prizes donated by sponsors were awarded during the parade, and all boats that placed in a category received a custom-engraved crystal award to prove their ability to spread holiday cheer. Pardi Princess won $1,500 for Best of Parade while The Goode Life took home $500 for being the fan favorite. Other prizes included fishing excursions, restaurant gift cards, spa services, towing memberships and more.