Organisers of the Annual Christmas Boat Parade are calling on boat owners, corporations and organisations to pull together and enter the event.

Steve Thomson of the organising committee for the Annual Christmas Boat Parade said many boats were damaged during Hurricane Fabian, and boat owners ? like all Bermudians ? are only just recovering after the clean-up effort.

But he said: "Let's not let Hurricane Fabian spoil boat parade."

"I am calling on everyone to enter, children's groups, corporations, organisations, to come together for the annual parade.

"If a big group of people get together and light the boat ? it will make light of hard work.

"Getting boats to participate is always our most challenging task. We would particularly like to encourage companies, churches, clubs and other groups to get their friends, associates and colleagues together to decorate their boats to enter the parade and make this a Christmas to remember."

He said the event is so much fun and it was inspired by his ex-wife Norma Thomson, who had seen boat parades in Southern California.

"There are prizes to be won, including a pair of round trip tickets to the United States," said Mr. Thomson, who has been organising the event for six years.

"This year, one of the sponsors, Fairmont Hamilton, is having a lawn party where happy hour usually takes place.

"The event will also be broadcast live on Mix 106, with speaker along Front Street."

Mr. Thomson said that Gorham's, on St. John's Road, in Pembroke, has a 15 percent discount on Christmas lights for anyone entering the boat parade.

He said a spectacular fireworks display, sponsored by XL Capital, will be held following the parade.

Mr. Thomson added that the best place to see the parade is by being on the water.

The parade is scheduled to take place on December 13, in Hamilton Harbour.

Mr. Thomson said he hoped boat owners will make an extra special effort to come out and support the event, which would not be possible without the following sponsors: the Ministry of Community Affairs and Sport, Freisenbruch Meyer, Mailboxes Unlimited, American Airlines, Bacardi, Butterfield & Vallis, Cable & Wireless and The Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Participants can register on the event's website, www.bermudaboatparade.bm.

Hamilton Harbour will be closed to moving commercial and private boat traffic after 5.30 p.m. on the day of the parade.

Application forms are also available at Mailboxes Unlimited on Par-la-Ville Road, in Hamilton, or, owners can telephone 295-0530 to receive a faxed entry form.

The best place to see the parade is to be in the parade, say organisers.