Holiday Boat Parade Was Lit
Eleven – or maybe twelve! – boats participated in the 5th annual Ocracoke Holiday Boat Parade in Silver Lake Harbor.
Farris O'Neal, captain of the Cap'n B, was eager to get the parade going with the biggest and brightest boat. The other captains got into formation with Farris and circled the harbor for about an hour. Farris is well known for his creative and exuberant boat-based entries in the 4th of July parade, but with the parade cancelled this year (due to COVID), we missed him. Luckily for us and for Farris, the boat parade gave him and his family a chance to shine!
Thurston Sumner, longtime property owner and recent fulltime resident, brought his propane-powered flame cannon onto the water and treated the crowd to the spectacle of fireballs shooting into the sky. Wow! Every blast was greeted with cheers from shore. Thurston found the perfect fit for his flame thrower – safely out of reach of dry-tinder trees!
So many boats! It was such a pretty sight with the lingering dusky light from sunset, and the Christmas lights reflecting off the water, and the lighthouse adding to the scene in the background. The wind and weather cooperated, too! Rain and fog earlier in the day cleared off before sunset just in time.
The Windfall II wasn't the only sailboat this year! The Farr family from Columbia, South Carolina, decked out their catboat with blue lights. As far as I know, they were our only visitors in the holiday boat parade. Dad Chris, mom Brynley, and boys WH, 6, Jack, 4, and Christopher 1.5, all enjoyed parading the harbor.
"Count us in for the parade next year. We’ll up our game. More lights, Christmas music, and flashing hats," Chris texted me. Can't wait!
Other participants made similar promises about 2021. Even while she was still on the boat Lisa Landrum texted me, "This is awesome! We're already planning for next year!"
Lisa and Byron's boat was one of a few blasting festive holiday sing-a-longs, which added to the fun for those of us on shore.
Speaking of tunes.... I've heard from several Ocracoke residents that we need music next year. I'm on it! A party on the docks with food, drink, and a deejay is already in the works for Friday, November 26, 2021. (Rain date on the 27th.)
The boat parade, an island tradition from the 1990's, was revived in 2016 by Teresa O'Neal. The 2019 and 2020 events were organized by yours truly.
Because of COVID-19, my efforts were minimal this year. We didn't host the usual Community Square dock party with hot drinks and sweet treats, Christmas decorations, and music. A Facebook page, an online poster, and some running my mouth was all it took. I really appreciate all the people who participated and came out to watch in person and online. If you missed it, check out the Facebook Live video and like the page for more photos and updates.
From my spot on the dock at the Community Square I counted eleven boats, but I can only identify ten. Hmmm. Then a couple of people told me they saw twelve. More hmmmmm. Which was it?
Here's my thank-you list: (Who did I miss? Please let me know!)
- Farris, Chrissy, Daisy, Charlie, and Hudson O'Neal on the Cap' B
- David Scott and Melinda Esham, with Fess Winstead, Gavin Elicker, and Dylan Esham (Santa boat)
- Jason Elicker and Cathy Scarborough
- Max Elicker and Daymon Esham (the Grinch boat)
- Byron Miller, Lisa Landrum, and Sharon Miller
- Rob, Caroline, and Mariah Temple, Kadi Richardson, Zoe Peterson, Charlie and Deborah Ralston, and Rahnier Lyons aboard the schooner Windfall II
- The Farr family aboard the catboat
- Bill, Leslie, and William Gilbert
- Thurston and Susan Sumner
- Ed and Cynthia Calvitti, Mia and Ben (Charlie Brown boat)
