Grinch, Trump, and Buddy the Elf Appear in Annual Christmas Boat Parade
by James Coulter
What’s more quintessential to the holiday experience than a hometown Christmas parade? And what’s more fitting to the Chain of Lakes than a Christmas boat parade?
More than a hundred boats decked their decks with colorful lights and other holiday decorations during the annual Winter Haven Chain of Lakes Christmas Boat Parade last Saturday evening.
Hosted by Chain Life Winter Haven, the Winter Haven Boat Parade drew crowds along the waters of Lake Shipp, May, and Howard, where several dozen decorated boats sailed by in all their holiday splendor.
The parade traveled along the three lakes, where spectators gathered, some even visiting local lakeside eateries like Tanners Lakeside, Old Man Franks, Caribbean Bay, and Harborside.
Participating boats gathered on the waters of Lake May, and then set sail along their parade route at 6:30 PM. Most of the boats were decorated with lights, while some had full-sized Christmas trees, and many others were themed to popular movies like The Grinch, Elf, and Christmas Vacation. Even Donald Trump himself (or rather, a person dressed like Trump) made a special appearance.
