SAVE THE DATE AND PUT YOUR LIGHTS ON!!
You're in a perfect spot for viewing the 4th Annual Boat Parade! This year we would like to invite all Homes and Businesses along the parade route to participate in the festivities. This year you can compete to win and for prizes!
You must be registered to participate. Download the application below and send in your nominal fee and join in!
Winner will receive a special yard sign, recognition on the HLH Website and in the 2014 Musicfest journal!
Thanks to Everyone for the GREAT turnout at the 2013 Boat Parade! The Winners are below...
Best in show, Thomas Frein, Anger Management
Best Powerboat, Frank DeLuca and Pam Setchell, White Star
Best Sailboat, Matt Joyce, Connemara
Best Club Entry, GHCYB, Bay Hunter (owned by Crain and Maryann Millnamow)
Best Corporate, Coneys Marine, The Barge
Most Elegant, Joe Pangia, Little Wing
Most Outrageous, Timmy Willis, Douglas Harrington
Most Creative, Steve Taylor, Congratulations to Marry Me Carol
Best Music and Animation, George Ryan & Peter Brinkwart, Aquila
Furtnest Distance Traveled, Michael D'Onofrio, Mikes Castle
Best Home, Maria Lelle
Best Business/Club, Coneys
The Friday after Thanksgiving is the official kickoff to the holiday season. But in Huntington, the day has been dubbed “Blue Friday,” thanks to the Huntington Lighthouse Boat Parade, an annual event that draws landlubbers to the shores of Huntington Harbor.
This maritime visual extravaganza will take place this year on Friday, November 29. It is a fundraiser for the Huntington Lighthouse, a familiar and treasured landmark whose beacon has guided boats into Huntington Harbor for the past century.
Holiday boat parades are a time-honored tradition in communities across the country. In 2010, HLPS President Pamela Setchell decided it was time for Huntington to have its own, as a gift to the community, particularly since there are many area residents who don’t have the opportunity to get on a boat and on the water for the annual Music Fest on Labor Day weekend. The parade is a great way to “bring the light to the shore” while raising public awareness about the ongoing preservation efforts at the Lighthouse.
BOATS/VESSEL PARTICIPATION:
To participate in the parade, boats pay a $50 registration fee. They then get busy decorating their vessels for prizes in ten categories: Best in Show, Best Sailboat, Best Powerboat, Best Corporate Boat, Best Club Boat, Most Creative, Most Elegant, Most Outrageous, Fleets Favorite, and Best Music and Animation.
HOME/BUSINESS PARTICIPATION:
Residents and businesses along the harbor are invited to join the boat parade festivities by registering, ($50.00 registration fee) decorating and compete for new “landlubber” prize categories.
VIEWING THE PARADE:
There are many areas along the harbor to view the parade, including the parking lot located behind the Halesite Fire Department and Gold Star Battalion Beach. (See parade route.) In the past, local businesses and residents have hosted viewing parties as a way of fundraising for the Lighthouse. (Visit this site for more information as it becomes available.)
All Boats MUST Register in Advance and compete for awards in the following categories
Best in Show
Best Powerboat
Best Sailboat
Best Corporate Boat
Best Club Boat
Most Creative
Most Elegant
Most Outrageous
Fleets Favorite
Best Music/Animation
Download the Application and Procedures above and fax to 631-423-0965
Stay Tuned for Exciting News about this Years Event.
To help make the Huntingon Harbor Parade of Lights a success, please contribute to the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society. For more information on HLPS, visit www.huntingtonlighthouse.org
Photos by Chris Maione
Watch the Boat Parade on YouTube! (Thanks to Wyncote Yacht Club and Frank Morisco)
