A massive turnout is expected at one of the Sunshine Coast’s unique and traditional family Christmas events.
Organisers have advised people to get to the Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade early, to secure a viewing spot at the various vantage points along Mooloolah River and the canals.
The annual event will once again feature about 60 boats of all sizes, including sail boats, motorboats, jet skis and tinnies, decorated with Christmas lights, cruising around the Mooloolaba waterways.
“We cap it at 60 boats, otherwise the procession becomes too long. We haven’t got enough room in the river for any more,” event organiser Gary Schulz, of the Mooloolaba Yacht Club, said.
“As you go around, La Balsa Park is standing room only, Penny Lane is standing room only, and little blocks that are down the canal towards Kawana Pub there, they’re just packed out.
“And, of course, the houses down along the route all have their house parties going, with all their new friends that turn up to watch.”
Apart from some small deviations, the course remained virtually unchanged for more than a decade.
“We had to cut it short going down past Mooloolah Island because of the tides this year and the silt that built up in that area,” Mr Schulz explained.
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“A lot of the power boats and the yachts won’t be able to go down there so we had to cut it short across there, but the rest of it is all the same as it has been in past years.
“They go past the yacht club, which is at The Wharf, at the start for judging, and they go past there again for final judging in case the judges missed a boat, or want to have another look at them.”
The parade will be held on Saturday, December 10, from 7pm.
“Facebook has so many raves and praises for it all. We start getting questions about it in May, people asking, ‘What date is the Christmas boat parade?’, so they can organise their house parties and picnics,” Mr Schulz explained.
“It’s something the yacht club does as a community event for the area. We try to encourage houses to get involved in it, jet-skis, tinnies and everyone, just to celebrate the water that we have here in Mooloolaba and get some of these boats untied for at least once a year, get them all dressed up, and get in the festive spirit.”
For more information (including links to the route map), visit Christmas Boat Parade.
In case of bad weather, delays or cancellations, monitor the Mooloolaba Yacht Club Facebook page.
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