The organisers of the Christmas Boat Parade are pleading this week for all boat owners to support what has become the biggest spectator event of the holiday season.

"Getting boats to participate is always our most challenging task," said Ian Coles, one of the parade organisers. "There are almost 5,000 boats registered in Bermuda, our target is to attract about two percent of these, or 100 boats, but we are a long way from there. "Decorate your boats as modest or as grand as you want, we welcome them all. We hope all boat owners will make a special effort and come out and support the event. We would particularly like to encourage companies, churches, clubs and other group to get their friends, associates and colleagues together to decorate their boats, enter the parade and make this a Christmas event to remember."

The parade will be held on Saturday, December 8. Boats can enter the parade online at www.bermudaboatparade.bm.

The boats will circumnavigate Hamilton Harbour, making their way along Front Street shoreline to the container docks, then along Harbour Road shoreline and across the harbour toward the Fairmont Hamilton Princess. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and culminates with fireworks at approximately 8:15 p.m. Leading the parade this year will be the sloop Sprit of Bermuda.

For more information, please contact Steve Thomson at 292-6563.