Pat and Chet Kaletkowski with Anita Thomas. [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

Santa’s ship finally sailed in at the 2019 Christmas Lighted Boat Parade, presented by the Moorings Yacht Club, Moorings Club, Moorings Realty Sales Company and Moorings of Vero Property Owners Association.

Now in its 45th year, the annual boat parade is a treasured family tradition that kicks off the holiday season in style. Three years after it first began, the spectacle transitioned from a daytime event to an evening display, thanks to advancements in lighting and power sources that allowed for mobile light shows.

Landlubbers, many arriving by foot, bicycle or golf cart, gathered at dusk for refreshments and good cheer, giving children a chance to visit with Santa Claus and frolic on the golf course before settling in for a holiday performance by the Indian River Charter High School Show Choir, the annual tree lighting and the boat parade.

Father Richard Murphy from Holy Cross Catholic Church blessed the fleet and the waterways to safeguard the captains and crew members on their journeys. Cannons announced the arrival of the holiday armada as boats made their way from Compass Cove, led by a United States Coast Guard cutter.

Hardy crews had weathered the stormy gales of the previous day, many having to re-deck the halls of their vessels. A collection of yachts, pontoon boats, fishing boats and more made their way to the viewing area, set up along the Cutlass Cove seawall.

Emcee Vince DeTurris gave a running dialogue, including details about the watercraft, the crew and the decorations, as viewers in the tightly knit community called out to their boating friends.

Under the watchful eye of the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, the Youth Sailing Foundation’s safety boat and various Moorings residents’ craft twinkled alongside each other as they floated by. Boats were adorned with everything from a lighted reindeer to Santa and his friends, with outriggers strung to their very tips. In some boats, even crew members wore lighted suits.

“We like to bring the entire Moorings together for a fun time to help build community,” said George Bryant, parade organizer. “We try and draw in as many boats as we can. The amount of work that goes into getting these boats decorated is incredible, and this year a lot of them had to do it twice.”