For those who are counting, there are exactly 156 days left until Christmas, but for those already in the Christmas spirit, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and the Naples Marine Safety Patrol are teaming up to offer the 4th Annual Christmas in July Boat Parade this Saturday evening, July 22, on Brandy Pond, and Long Lake in Naples.
 |
| The route of this year's 'Christmas in July' Boat Parade in Naples is shown. The parade starts at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22 on Brandy Pond and ends on Long Lake near Naples. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
“Have a boat? Decorate it, register it at the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber website, and come join the parade on Brandy Pond,” Mullins said. “There will be prizes awarded for the top-three best decorated boats, as determined by the Naples Board of Selectpersons.”
The annual parade was created by the Naples Marine Safety Patrol for the first time in 2020 with a total of 65 boats participating. Last year that number climbed to nearly 100.
“Naples Christmas in July Boat Parade was started in 2020 by Mark Maroon and Jim Stark of the Naples Marine Patrol as a way to get folks safely out and having fun in the midst of COVID-19,” Mullins said. “They were assisted by community volunteer Joanne Jordan.”
Mullins said that the parade would not be possible if not for the work of volunteers who’ve been coordinating activities and the event for several weeks.
She said no matter if you have a boat or not, everyone will be able to find something of interest at the festive parade.
“Don’t have a boat? No worries, come have dinner at one of the sponsor restaurants or do a little shopping,” Mullins said. “Whatever you do pre-parade, make sure you find a nice viewing spot as the parade makes its way from Brandy Pond onto Long Lake and back starting at around 8:30 p.m.”
The chamber is pleased to partner with Naples in bringing this popular event to the town once again this year.
“Our hope is to make it a destination event for Naples,” she said. “Naples is an important part of the Sebago Lakes Region, and like all of our eight towns including Casco, Gray, Naples, New Gloucester, Raymond, Sebago, Standish and Windham, we want to support them in any way we can.”
To participate in this year’s boat parade, all boats must be registered prior to the event.
“Once more we are hoping that participating boats come all decked out with tons of holiday decorations,” Mullins said. “There will be prizes for the top decorated boats which must be registered to be eligible for prizes.”
She said that the town of Naples is encouraging nearby businesses and residents of Brandy Pond and the lower end of Long Lake to decorate docks, homes, and waterfront properties to show their solidarity with the “Christmas in July” spirit.
Event organizers say they are grateful for all sponsors for this year’s parade, which has helped to pay for lighted buoys for the event and prizes for parade participants.
The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce represents the Lakes Region towns of Casco, Gray, Naples, New Gloucester, Raymond, Sebago, Standish, and Windham, and it is one of the most active chambers in the entire state of Maine. The chamber is made up of business members ranging from young entrepreneurs and ‘mom & pop’ shops to the largest employers in the area. <
Boat registration for the “Christmas in July Boat Parade” closes at 3 p.m. Friday, July 21. Registration is available online at https://www.sebagolakeschamber.com/event/christmas-in-july-boat-parade/ or by calling the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at 207-892-8265 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Participating boats will line up for the parade at 8 p.m. Saturday on Brandy Pond. <
No comments:
Post a Comment