ORGANISERS of one of the biggest spectator events of the festive season are urging boat owners to get on board.This year’s annual Christmas Boat Parade takes place on Saturday, December 9, and it is hoped boating enthusiasts will make it the biggest ever.

Parade organiser Ian Coles said: “Getting boats to participate is always our most challenging task.

“There are almost 5,000 registered boats in Bermuda and our target is to attract about two per cent of these, or 100 boats. This seems realistic to us but we are a long way from there at the moment.

“It doesn’t matter how modest or grand a boat entry may be — we welcome them all. We hope 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 groups to get their friends, associates and colleagues together to decorate their boats, enter the parade and make this a Christmas event to remember.” Mr. Coles emphasised that the parade was a key event in the island’s tourism calendar.

“The parade has become a major attraction for Bermuda’s holiday visitors,” he said.

“We know that the boat parade is one of the very special reasons visitors spend Christmas on the island, so every boat entry is doing their part to entertain our visitors and support the tourist industry.”

This year’s parade, which will be led by the newly built training sloop Spirit of Bermuda, will circumnavigate Hamilton Harbour, starting from Front Street and following the Harbour Road shoreline and across the harbour towards the Hamilton Fairmont Princess Hotel. The parade starts at 6.30 p.m. and will conclude with a fireworks display.

[obox] For further information and to enter the parade, visit www.bermudaboatparade.bm