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4 Good Spots to Watch Clearwater’s Lighted Boat Parade

The annual Clearwater Yacht Club Boat Parade will be held this Saturday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. This will be their 48th annual holiday boat parade. There will be prizes…

Christmas Boat Parade

File photo.

David McNew/Getty Images

The annual Clearwater Yacht Club Boat Parade will be held this Saturday, December 10 at 6:30 p.m. This will be their 48th annual holiday boat parade. There will be prizes for powerboats, sailboats and overall best in the parade. For questions about participating, call (727) 447-6000.

The weather should be perfect with temps right around 70 degrees Saturday evening. Here are 4 good spots watch the show.

Frenchy's
Parking is a pain but, but a good spot to get some food and watch the start of the parade. Be sure you go to the French's that's on East Shore Drive on the opposite side of the beach. The route doesn't go along Clearwater Beach.

Clearwater Beach Library
Another good spot to catch the early part of the show.

Coachman Park
I haven't been over this way lately to see the status of the work being done, so this might not be the best of your choices. But as long as you are in that area and stay near the water, you should have a great view.

Clearwater Memorial Causeway
No doubt your best bet in my opinion. Park your car in one of the garages on the city side and walk along the left (south) side of the bridge. The parade will go by the entire length of the bridge. I'd bring a bike!

It's how we Christmas in Florida. Every year the creative boaters step up their game with lights, characters and music and sail along Florida waterways. Here's where to go this year.

December 2: Tarpon Springs

At 6:30pm, the boats begin the journey down the Anclote River. Head to Craig Park! That's where the judging will be done at 7:30pm.

December 3: Riverview

The Alafia Lighted Boat Parade will start at Williams Park at 5pm and wind up at River's Edge.

December 3: Bradenton

Head to Longboat Pass Bridge around 6pm for the best view of the Bradenton Beach Boat Parade.

December 3: New Port Richey

At 6pm, the journey for the Cotee River Christmas Boat Parade begins from Miller's Bayou to Sims Park.

December 3: Dunedin

Santa arrives by boat for the lighting of the Christmas Tree.  The Dunedin Holiday Boat Parade can be seen at the marina and Edgewater Park starting at 5pm.

December 3: Sarasota

The Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights starts at 6:45pm.  Head to Marina Jack Restaurant or Centennial Park for the best views.  They've expanded spectator viewing area at Bayfront Park.

December 9: South Pasadena

At 6:30pm, the South Pasadena Lighted Boat Parade starts on the northeast side of Pasadena Isle near Marine Max and ends at Causeway Village and The Fountains.

December 10: Apollo Beach

Not just lighted boats - a chili cookoff too! The parade starts around 6pm. Put 1250 Apollo Beach Blvd in your GPS.

December 10: Bradenton

The Christmas on the Braden River Old Florida Holiday Boat Parade starts at Jiggs Landing at 6:30pm.

December 10: Clearwater

The parade passes by Coachman Park at about 8:30pm.

December 10: Bradenton

The Manatee River Holiday Boat Parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Head to Caddy’s Bradenton and Pier 22.

December 10: Madeira Beach

The 55th Annual Festival of Lights Illuminated Boat Parade starts at 6:45 pm. There's a tree lighting, and boat parade kickoff party at ROC park.

December 17: Tampa

Head to the Tampa Riverwalk.  The route starts on the southern tip of Davis Islands at 6pm, heads up by the Convention Center and then to the Heights.  They'll then turn around and head to Sparkman Wharf.

December 17: Treasure Island

The boat parade begins at 6:20pm.  Head to the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge or John's Pass for the best viewing.

December 17: Indian Rocks Beach

Getting underway this year at 7pm, the parade heads north from the Holiday Inn and finish off at Harbor Drive North.

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Hear Geno on the air weekday afternoons. Geno's passions include fat guy food, concerts, sports, travel to Europe and South America. He loves 80s and 90s music, from MTV hairbands to old school freestyle, alternative rock to TRL era jams. Geno's radio career began in his hometown of Portland, Maine. Since then he's been on the air coast to coast from Boston to Las Vegas, Tampa to California.