Boat Parade Returns for 25th Year

A Sarasota tradition marks its 25th year of holiday lights on the water with its annual Boat Parade of Lights.

The parade will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, departing from City Island, and will go south through Sarasota Bay, under the new Ringling Bridge and into the basin at Island Park beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Public viewing areas include City Island, Centennial Park and Island Park — which is the most popular, according to city officials.

 is the broadcasting and judging center for the event. 

Parking is available in the Bayfront Drive lot next to Island Park, but this lot will be closed once it is filled to capacity, the Sarasota Police Department said.

Additional parking can be found on Gulfstream Avenue and throughout Downtown Sarasota. The new Palm Avenue Parking Garage is offering a $2 parking at 4 p.m. Cash only, and will be paid upon entry.

Fruitville Road and Ringling Boulevard, which are undergoing construction, will be open to traffic, police said.

Police will be stationed at the pedestrian crosswalks leading to Island Park at Ringling Blvd., and Main Street.  

Expect traffic delays on U.S. 41 along the Bayfront and Island Park area from 5 to 9 p.m.  

Police urge people not to watch the parade from Ringling Bridge because of limited parking close to the bridge and the wind chill that can sweep across the top of the bridge.

Spectators will not be allowed to block pedestrian traffic on the bridge sidewalks, police said.