26th Annual Boat Parade of Lights

The 26th Annual Boat Parade of Lights is scheduled to begin at 6 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012. The boats will line up and depart from City Island and proceed south through Sarasota Bay, pass underneath the new Ringling Bridge, and make entry into the basin at Island Park by about 6:45 pm. 

Public viewing areas include City Island or Ken Thompson Park (easiest to get to, and great viewing for Lido Shorians along the sea wall near the Sarasota Sailing Squadron), Centennial Park, and Island Park. Of these viewing areas, Island Park is the most popular but also the most crowded. Marina Jacks is the broadcasting and judging center for the event. 

Parking is available in the Bayfront Drive lot next to Island Park, but this lot will be closed once it is filled to capacity. Additional parking can be found on Gulfstream Avenue and throughout downtown Sarasota. The new Palm Avenue garage is free and a convenient place to park all evening, and is only a few “steps” away from Main Street, the Bayfront area and the Theater District. Parking is typically not an issue for us on City Island, or better yet, it's not a very long walk from Lido Shores.

Police will be stationed at the pedestrian crosswalks leading to Island Park at Ringling Boulevard and Main Street. The public can expect traffic delays on US 41 along the Bayfront and Island Park area from 5 pm until approximately 9 pm. Viewing from the Ringling Bridge is not advised. There is very limited parking in close proximity to the bridge.  

Spectators will not be allowed to block pedestrian traffic on the bridge sidewalks and Police personnel will be on hand to monitor this. It is further noted that wind-chill conditions on the bridge may make this a very uncomfortable viewing location. (That's cop speak for "DON'T DO IT!")

Bring a flask or hot toddy, invite your neighbors and enjoy this annual Sarasota tradition right in our own backyard.
Happy Boat Parade!