St. Croix Boat Parade 2014

Celebrating the Boat Parade has become a very big occasion on St. Croix. Every year more and more people turn out to line the boardwalk, set up family areas on the grass in front of the fort, or actually ride on the boats and parade through the harbor.

Music booms from loud speakers and the observers set up their chairs to make sure no one stands in front of them so they can't see. Children are everywhere, cuddling in laps, standing to one side, running riot over the grass, or glowing from necklaces placed around their arms and necks. All faces are turned toward the boats when the parade begins.

Over twenty boats participated this year along with some paddle boarders that managed to stay lit and on their boards.

It was great watching them paddle along while trailing their lights.

One of the Sea planes was decorated and moored alongside the wharf.

And two of the boats that came past had Dicks Garage and Pressure wailing their lovely tunes for all to hear.

The boats made a loop through the harbor two times...making sure everyone had a chance to see them strut their stuff.

                             

  Photo taking this year was more challenging without a stable surface to rest the camera on...
and having family fly in for the holidays meant i was not totally paying attention.

The sailboat looked quite lovely as did all the other boats.

When the boats had finished motoring through we all waited awhile for the fireworks to get going...

 And they were great.

Lighting up the sky with loads of colors,

crackles,

and even designs.

The crowd

oooooooodddddddddddd

and ahhhhhhhhhhhhddddddddd

and when it was all over the crowds broke up and went their merry ways.

See ya next week.