OCEAN PINES– After a seven-year hiatus, the Festival of Boats parade returns to the community on Saturday, July 26.
The revived and expanded event now includes family entertainment, games and concessions by Kiwanis.
“The event had been stopped because of lack of boats and lack of participants,” said parade chairman Steve Stein. “The last year was 2007.”
The event had run for 20 years before the interruption.
“There seemed to be enough interest that people were willing to get involved in it again, and they wanted to start it up again,” said Stein. “I was asked to do (the event) and it’s quite a task to take on. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s pretty much come together now. I think everything is going to come off well.”
Boats will line up beginning at noon in Pintail Park. Guests may bring chairs and coolers.
Sixteen boats have signed up for the parade.
“Most of them are pontoon boats,” Stein said. “I think we have one or two that are more like fishing boats or center consoles.”
Boats will leave the area between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. The Ocean City Honor Guard will conduct a ceremony at 1:45, and the parade begins at 2 p.m. traveling up the Pintail Park Canal. A judge’s station at the end of the Grand Canal will rank ships in four categories. Judges will hand out awards for first, second and third, as well as the grand prize for best in show. Contestants are required to decorate their boats and wear costumes in order to qualify. This year’s parade theme is “fantasy.”
After circling the judges in the Grand Canal, boats will travel down Manklin Creek, turn around, and head back to Pintail Park for the awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
The entire event is open to the public. Kiwanis will serve hot dogs and soft drinks.
“It’s a fun event,” Stein said. “We want people to come out and enjoy the day and have it be more of a picnic atmosphere. It’s an event for the Kiwanis to make some money, and I think the public will enjoy the event and have a good time.”
The rain date for the 2014 Festival of Boats parade is Sunday, July 27.
For more information visit www.opboatclub.org.
The revived and expanded event now includes family entertainment, games and concessions by Kiwanis.
“The event had been stopped because of lack of boats and lack of participants,” said parade chairman Steve Stein. “The last year was 2007.”
The event had run for 20 years before the interruption.
“There seemed to be enough interest that people were willing to get involved in it again, and they wanted to start it up again,” said Stein. “I was asked to do (the event) and it’s quite a task to take on. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s pretty much come together now. I think everything is going to come off well.”
Boats will line up beginning at noon in Pintail Park. Guests may bring chairs and coolers.
Sixteen boats have signed up for the parade.
“Most of them are pontoon boats,” Stein said. “I think we have one or two that are more like fishing boats or center consoles.”
Boats will leave the area between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. The Ocean City Honor Guard will conduct a ceremony at 1:45, and the parade begins at 2 p.m. traveling up the Pintail Park Canal. A judge’s station at the end of the Grand Canal will rank ships in four categories. Judges will hand out awards for first, second and third, as well as the grand prize for best in show. Contestants are required to decorate their boats and wear costumes in order to qualify. This year’s parade theme is “fantasy.”
After circling the judges in the Grand Canal, boats will travel down Manklin Creek, turn around, and head back to Pintail Park for the awards ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
The entire event is open to the public. Kiwanis will serve hot dogs and soft drinks.
“It’s a fun event,” Stein said. “We want people to come out and enjoy the day and have it be more of a picnic atmosphere. It’s an event for the Kiwanis to make some money, and I think the public will enjoy the event and have a good time.”
The rain date for the 2014 Festival of Boats parade is Sunday, July 27.
For more information visit www.opboatclub.org.