The 35th Annual Venice Christmas Boat Parade sets sail on Saturday, Dec. 2 in the Intracoastal Waterway. Boats get underway at 6 p.m.
The parade starts just north of the Albee Road bridge. There are public viewing areas on the Gulf side of the waterway and restaurants opposite. The parade continues down the Intracoastal and out to the channel marker in the jetties, weather permitting, before turning around. Viewing is available on both sides of the jetties in this area. If you are coming by boat there are plenty of spots along the way to drop anchor (please refrain from parking in the parade route). As the parade continues south there are miles of public viewing on both sides of the Intracoastal. Parade turn-around is before the Circus Bridge.
Remember to get there early. If you are new to the area, take a look a few days before the parade for that special spot; there are no bad locations. Remember for Venice island, when the 2 north bridges go up, the Circus Bridge remains down for vehicular traffic only. This remains in effect until such time that the 2 north bridges are reopened to vehicular traffic.
NOTE: Unlike the downtown Venice Holiday Parade on Nov. 25, citizens are NOT encouraged to set up chairs, blankets or other items in viewing locations prior to Dec. 2. Sarasota County and the City of Venice are not responsible for items left unattended before, during or after the Boat Parade.
For additional information, including a map of the parade route, visit www.venicechristmasboatparade.net. You can also contact event organizer Joe Zgrzepski at joezgrzepski@gmail.com or 941-718-8644.
