Boat Parade Will Remain in “Dry Dock”

Posted by Bob Gernert on November 19, 2007 at 2:42 pm

Dear Winter Haven friends,

After lengthy logistical considerations we have arrived at the conclusion that the Chain of Lakes Christmas Boat Parade needs to stay in dry dock. It all boils down to one factor: public safety.

Pulling a series of lighted boats through streets lined with cars, kids and carolers is just too dangerous to take the chance. If we clear the streets of cars then there is no where for people to park. If people throw candy from the boats … and they will … they will hit not only cars but people. Candy will bounce into the street. Kids run after candy.

We all want the holidays to be a joyous time and for that reason we have decided that if Mother Nature had wanted us to have a boat parade … it would have rained more.

Merry Christmas and … maybe next year.

Cyberlink1

See other entries filed in: Chamber Events, Downtown, General Announcements

REMARKS   11 Total remarks on this post. Add your own remarks below

  • November 19th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
    Kelly

    That is a lame excuse to not have the parade, the danger of kids getting hit by floats in a regular parade is the same as boats on trailers. Everyone gets hit by candy in parades..its just a part of it, if you don’t want candy thown at you then don’t go to a parade.

  • November 19th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
    Becky

    I agree with Kelly. Lakeland has a VERY successful Christmas parade at night. Isn’t the A-dale/WH parade at night?

  • November 19th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
    Pat

    Shame Shame, A boat on a trailer is the same as a float in the parade. Not a good excuse NOT to have the boat parade.

  • November 19th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
    Jane West

    Thanks to Amy & Bob Lanpher for a valiant effort (albeit unsuccessful). I might just have to paddle around Lake Howard in my kayak waiving a flashlight or two…I will truly miss the wonderful Winter Haven Boat Parade this year….

  • November 19th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
    Bob Gernert

    Most land-based parades take place during daylight hours on streets that have been cleared for that purpose. There is nothing lame about not wanting to chance injuring a child.

    Throwing candy in the dark is a great way to injure someone’s eye. The choice is between taking that risk and public safety.

    Carols in the Park will have a great sing-along and tree lighting on December 1. We suggest you enjoy those festivities.

  • November 19th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
    Carl Kocher

    As a past president of the Chamber and a strong advocate of boat parade safety, I totally agree with the Chamber’s decision not to have the boat parade. It is not a lame excuse. It is a very sound business decision on the part of the Chamber.

  • November 19th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
    WHResident

    I know of a huge land-based parade that takes place during night-time hours (not all of it, but some), perhaps you’ve heard of it? MARDI GRAS.

    So the streets can’t be cleared for a parade with some advanced notice, but plenty of times I can’t find a spot, or have been asked to move my car to make way for vendors at Winter Haven’s Bike Night in downtown.

    Throwing anything in the dark is a great way to injure anyone. However, maybe the people could only toss the candy underhandedly - and anyone standing close enough presumedly is already aware that they may be hit by flying candy and won’t be staring into the starry night with their eyes wide open.

    I constantly read this blog and your proclivities towards CSX and what CSX will bring to Winter Haven are well known. Surely, if Winter Haven is ready for such expansive industrial growth, we can handle having a nice holiday boat parade.

    Maybe this decision should be put to the many, instead of a committee of a few. A committee of which you are most undoubtedly on which allows you to make such snide, under-handed and seemingly patriarchal comments like “We suggest you enjoy those festivities” and “There is nothing lame about not wanting to risk injuring a child”.

  • November 19th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
    Bob Gernert

    WH Resident,

    If you wish to form a committee and have the parade, that is certainly an option available to you.

    You may want to have a committee help make sure everyone throws their candy underhanded as well.

  • November 19th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
    Carl Kocher

    At least, I am willing to put my name to my comments. Please stand up and support your comments.

  • November 20th, 2007 at 10:09 am
    Bob and Amy Lanpher

    Although the cancellation of the annual Boat Parade is a disappointment, Amy and I would like to express our sincere appreciation to Bob Gernert and his staff for truly putting forth a valiant effort in trying to make this fun event happen. Given the limited time frame and the general liabilities associated with an event like this, it is truly understandable that the risks far outweighed the advantages. We would like to wish everyone and their families a very wonderful Holiday Season, and thanks for all of the support.

  • November 22nd, 2007 at 10:46 pm
    Susie Mages

    I’m sorry to hear that the parade was cancled. Maybe next year? My husband and I are new to Winter Haven and was looking forward to joining the boat parade. We are from Vero Beach and pull our pontoon boat in all the parades there and Sebastain. Only the Christmas parade is at night though. The parade committe there has VERY strict rules that NOTHING is thrown from the floats. Even during the daytime parades.Candy has to be handed to spectators by a walker only. Maybe this could be a thought in future parades? I almost canceled our participation in the Vero parade which is Dec. 1st, also. I will look forward to next year. Wishing all that read this a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to becoming full time Winter Haven residents. We like what I see already. Ron and Susie Mages

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