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TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. — After a difficult year rebuilding from the back-to-back hurricanes, Treasure Island’s holiday lighted boat parade is returning to the waters of Boca Ciega Bay on Saturday evening.
The parade is set to begin at 5:45 p.m. and will weave through the inlets of Boca Ciega Bay, ending in a grand finale at John’s Pass. The parade is expected to wrap up around 9 p.m.
The traditional watch party and appearance by Santa Claus at Treasure Bay will not be taking place this year due to ongoing construction and the living shoreline project. Instead, residents are asked to view the parade from neighbors and friends’ waterfront properties or from the boardwalk of John’s Pass.
The Treasure Island tradition was canceled last year due to debris in the water from the hurricanes.
Despite the ongoing hurricane recovery, Jason Beisel with the city of Treasure Island said it was important to bring the parade back this year. After a hard year, he says residents want to enjoy the holiday spirit the well-loved boat parade tradition brings. The city also wants visitors to know that Treasure Island is back open for business.
“Everybody’s wanting good news to come out of here,” Beisel said. “We’ve had some struggles throughout this year, so we decided what better way to raise spirits than to have all our activities come back, and that included the holiday lighted boat parade.”
Thomas Morrill and his family have been participating in the boat parade each year — with the exception of the 2024 cancellation — since they moved here from Tampa in 2020.
His condo was damaged in the back-to-back hurricanes, and he says he lost some personal items his family will never be able to get back. His boat survived the storm and will be one of the first in line during Saturday’s parade.
“Some of those personal things can’t be replaced; it puts life in perspective about being together with family,” he said.
St. Pete Beach, as well as Redington Shores and Indian Shores, canceled their lighted boat parades this year. Morrill says he’s grateful Treasure Island chose to move forward.
“That’s what’s important… you get back on the horse when you get knocked off and keep riding,” he said.
The city is still accepting signs ups for the parade through Saturday morning.
The Treasure Island Causeway Bridge will be raised from roughly 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday to allow for the boats to pass through. Spectators arriving at that time are asked to take alternate routes and enter the city from the bridges in Maderia Beach or St. Pete Beach.
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Angie Angers
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