09/14/2026
Everyone take note, the boat parade date has been moved to December 5th!!!
Hey Everyone,
I'm back with more details about the parade.......One quick note before I jump into details, please contact me via email: [email protected], trying to keep up with comments on facebook, fb messenger, or smoke signals, makes it very hard to stay organized. It's inevitable I'll get a message from someone asking why I didn't reply to them, to which I'll ask, how did you contact me, and they reply will be something like, ummm, morris code. Please put in the subject line of any email you may send, Christmas Boat Parade.
This is a rain or moonshine, oops moonlight event. If it rains, you will get wet. Knock on wood, I've avoided rain at every boat parade I've chaired, let's hope it stays that way.
Route: Sunset Beach Town Park headed north to Shallotte Point.
Date: Again, Saturday December 5th, start time between 5:45 & 6 (if you're toward the north end of the route, please don't ask me what time the boats will get there. Not my first rodeo and every single time my phone starts blowing up 15 minutes into the parade.
Sponsors: The goal is to give a check to each of the Charities we are partnering with as well as covering the cost of putting this show on. Again, they are Empowering Pawz, they do an amazing and selfless job finding homes for otherwise forgotten pups. Those Who Served Foundation, if it weren't for our military, we would not still be a free nation and in my opinion, we can never fully repay them, but we can try. Old Bridge Historical Society, a historic fixture in our community that remind us of how Brunswick County used to be. In addition, we need funds for tee shirts for our captains, numbers for the boats, prizes for our participants (hey all you yummy restaurants, gift cards are always appreciated) and any misc expenses that should arise. I have packages put together. If you would like a copy, email me at [email protected]
Boaters: my goal is to have at least 30 boats in the parade, so if you are a boater, registration is free, if you are interested, email me and I will email you a form to fill out and put you on the list.
Grand Marshal: This year's Grand Marshal will be Tripp Kelly from Riptide Bins LLC. Why did I choose Tripp? First of all, I feel our Grand Marshal should be someone who is a great role model in our community and who works tirelessly to make it a better place. If you know Tripp, I am sure you will agree, plus Tim McGraw was booked, so I had to scratch him off the list.
Volunteers: thank you to those who have already reached out, I will send an email to you all tomorrow. I cannot express how much I appreciate each and every one of you. We will need volunteers starting now and for the evening of the event.
National Anthem: Ok this is America and we will start with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem at the kick off viewing location, Sunset Beach Town Park. If you have pipes and are interested in singing the National Anthem, please email me. You must be a resident of South Brunswick County.
VIP Viewing at Sunset Beach Town Park: As with America 250, we will have waterfront VIP seating roped off, tickets will go on sale this Wednesday, I will share a link in a post to purchase.
