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Every year I like to experience new and exciting things. This Christmas I was invited to the City of Biloxi to participate in the 23rd Annual Christmas on the Water Boat Parade. It was a cold and fridged afternoon but the experience of watching the sun go down over the Gulf of Mexico from the bow of the Conch Out Too was well worth the unsavory conditions. We had tasty chili along with many beverages to keep us warm.
As I looked around it was amazing to me how many ways people could decorate powerboats and sailboats. As the sun went down and darkness set in, the many colors of the lights really took over these floating masterpieces.
The parade was started 24 years ago by Rusty David and friends, all of whom are boat owners or boat captains. There is a committee of 6-7 ladies that actually do all of the day to day work. All of the industrious work is done by volunteers who maintain their fulltime jobs. The enstrance fee has remained at $25 per boat from the beginning, so that anyone can afford to enter. Rusty raises money to cover the expenses, especially the cost of the fireworks show. Historically most of the donations have come from the business community, but since Katrina that is harder to do, so he has turned to asking for individual donations. The community has stepped up and helped keep this annual event alive. More |