It’s an annual procession of colour that powers Christmas magic for the masses and puts community spirit in the spotlight.
And what might start out as a good excuse to hook up the trailer and put the boat on the water ends up being an illuminating experience for thousands watching from the shore.
For one festive night, the excited squeals of children fill the air and the delight on adult faces is only matched by the twinkling lights floating serenely past their view of the Mooloolah River and its waterways.
The Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade may have wrapped up for another year, but it is the gift that keeps on giving, starting a wave of happiness set to flow right through to December 25.
Scroll down for the best dressed winners’ list and gallery
Up to 70 vessels – from kayaks, canoes and jet skis to sail boats, tinnies and serious-money cruisers – were decked out in all the bells and whistles, festooned with a multitude of fairy lights, blow-up Santas and festive creatures in party mode on Saturday night.
The flotilla of fun brought joy to up to 10,000 people who came out for hours of free entertainment and neighbourhood good cheer under the stars.
Mooloolaba Yacht Club event organiser Gary Schulz’s prediction of standing-room only proved correct for the 7pm launch.
“It was a perfect day for it,” he said of this year’s event.
“Not too hot. It was just a nice, steady breeze and everyone just had a ball at it.
“The guys doing the lead boat said the crowd was the noisiest they’d ever experienced when they went past.”
Mr Schulz said estimates put crowds at 5000 to 6000 at La Balsa Park on the Point Cartwright side of the river, a couple of thousand at Mooloolaba’s Penny Lane jetty and surrounds, and countless others enjoying the spectacle from houses and pontoons along the canals.
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“It becomes a party for the whole of Moolooaba – the central coast area,” Mr Schulz said.
“It’s a good family, feel-good night.
“Even the people on the boats are enjoying themselves because they’ve spent weeks planning it, getting everything ready, and then they’ve got all their friends on board.
“They’re all trying to outdo each other with the most spectacular and the brightest boats.
“Christmas complete. They love it.”
Mr Schulz said the actual number of competition entries in the various decorated vessel categories was 39 – a lower number than usual, which he put down to uneasiness about recent storm activity.
But that didn’t stop unofficial and last-minute sailors joining in the fun and pushing the parade to “at least 70 boats on the water, all dressed up”, he said.
“They are more and more outlandish now because there’s access to bigger and better lights and new LED technology.
“It’s bright. It’s cheery. Everyone’s having a good time.”
To keep the yuletide spirit rolling along, check out some of the Sunshine Coast’s best Christmas lights displays here.
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Best dressed winners
The Mooloolaba Yacht Club’s Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade Best Dressed Competition winners’ awards were handed out Sunday afternoon at the clubroom at The Wharf Mooloolaba.
Boats
- Best Jetski – #4, Chris Burns, ZW691Q, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Prawn Star voucher.
- Best Christmas Theme Boat under 5m – #21, Grant Ziarno, PO525Q, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher, and one Seal Swim.
- Best Christmas Theme Boat over 5m – #30, Bill McCarthy, Capers, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Mooloolaba Canal Cruise Family Pass.
- Best Pontoon Boat – #14, Trevor Martin, Waterfront Agents, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Sunreef Mooloolaba Whale watching Family Pass.
- Best Commercial Boat – #45, Georgia Hill, M.V Mudjimba, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Seal Swim plus one The Dock Mooloolaba voucher.
- Best Boat Effort Award (judges) – #38, Troy Forrest, Mint, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Adventure Rafting voucher.
- Peoples’ Choice Award- Boat #34, Michael Neville, Footloose, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Mooloolaba Canal Cruise Family Pass voucher.
Houses
- Best Christmas Theme – #21, Tanya Stevenson, 21 Myoora Crescent, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Adventure Rafting voucher.
- Best Unit display – #19, Danielle Fisher, Bluewater Point Resort, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Prawn Star voucher.
- Best New Entry – #24, Judy Reeman, 14 Oak Court, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Mooloolaba Turtle Tour voucher.
- Best Christmas Light Display – #22, Jo Butler, 115 Mooloolah Drive, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Christmas Complete $500 voucher.
- Christmas Complete Choice – #23, Lisa Venning, 51 Mooloolah Drive, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Christmas Complete $500 voucher.
- Peoples’ Choice award – House/Unit #20, Trevor Martin, Deepwater Point Resort, one Sealife Sunshine Coast Family Pass voucher and one Mooloolaba Turtle Tour voucher.
Tidings of comfort and joy
