Christmas Boat Parade 2006

I found this year's Christmas Boat Parade a little disappointing. Many entries seemed lacklustre, contenting themselves with putting a few rows of lights down their hulls and a couple of inflatable figures on their decks. Compared with previous years, there were few creative efforts, and not much in the way of humour.

But there were some great boats too. By far the best, in my opinion, was "Bermuda's Finest", put together by John Carr with assistance from the Commissioner of Police. In case you didn't make it to the Parade, you can see it for yourself below.

» I've replaced the video with a shorter, edited version. The uncut version can still be found here.

Comments

[Adjustah on 10.12.06 at 06:45]

I agree, Phil. There were far too many boats that should have been out there - and have been in the past - that were still moored up.

It's a thankless effort getting any boat ready for the parade - especially when it might be cancelled several times - but there were a few too many "Shrow de genny and slap a few lights on" entries this year.

The Police entry was really, very good. Ironically they were out ticketing some of BDA's Stupidest on our way home for some of the worst parking jobs I've ever seen in Hamilton. They were clearly parked in a tsunami-related panic all the way up Woodbourne Avenue.

Those bye's must have been tired of that song after the parade. Sadly enough some of the next generation beside me asked, "What's that music they keep playing? Oh. Uh, what's a Hawaii Five-O?!" Sigh.

[ace on 10.12.06 at 08:35]

I agree with your comments regarding the parade.

I was a bit disappointed with the decorations on the "Spirit of Bermuda", which appeared to be a simple string of lights. But, having said that, just having it in the parade was cool. Given that its launch was so recent and they probably had little, if any, time to plan anything too fancy the principals can "forgiven". It is a great ship with a great purpose.

The fireworks were pretty good. My little ones really enjoyed them.

The police boat was very good. The police dealing with the trafffic this year were very good. Compared to the traffic nightmare that is usually caused by the boat parade, this year it was a breeze. Cudos to the cops.

[VB on 10.12.06 at 10:23]

Sorry to hear that the Parade was not up to the usual standards.

I not not see it. In fact I have actually NEVER been a spectator. With the exception of this year however I have been a participant since the first parade in 1998.

This year a trip has me off the Island for the event.

Doing up a boat is a huge amount of work & expense. It does not just magically happen on Sat afternoon. In this age of general lazyness & instant this & that getting commitment is not easy. Many companys hold their Christmas partys on Boat Parade night looing for 'free' entertainment. There are people who have to attend these partys who might otherwise enter the parade.

Weather is always a major issue. What might seem nice & calm on one side of the harbour is windy on the other. Many skippers are unfamiliar with operating their boats at night, never mind doing it with the restricted visibility of lights all over their boats & doing it in the close proximity of others.

So, be thankful for what you got. Our Parade historicaly has been much larger than other locations with far larger boating populations to draw from.

[Mary on 10.12.06 at 19:11]

The police entry was actually done by John Carr from the Marketplace. He did a great job paying tribute to Bermuda's Finest.

[Phil on 10.12.06 at 20:38]

I've replaced the video above with a shorter, edited version. The uncut version can still be found here.

[Participant on 10.12.06 at 22:40]

Like Mary said, 'BDA'S FINEST' was done under the direction of John Carr. But also much of the great work was directed/done by Alan Virgil and crew. Thanks should also go out to the Commissioner of Police for agreeing to participate and assisting John & Crew with two Police motorcycles being used. There should be more police participation of this kind in the community events. Job Well Done at getting it done in a matter of days!!

AND YES, they are sick of that song and sirens!

LOL

[Alice Carr on 11.12.06 at 09:11]

Thank you to all the boaters who so spent their own money and used their valuable time to put on this wonderful event. Whether you put up one set of lights or went completely nuts(like my husband and his friends) you are to be commended. Bermuda is a more beautiful place for your efforts.

For those unhappy with the parade, may I suggest that you post your e-mail address on this site so that people who are willing to be a part of next years parade can contact you if they need additional funding or assistance for future parades.

Hats off to all of the organizers and participants. See you next year!

Alice Carr

[Two Cents on 11.12.06 at 10:30]

I originally posted this a couple of years ago on lIB. After speaking to friends who took part this year, It seemed relevant again

Having taken part in the Boat Parade on several occasions, I had often wondered if all the work put in by the boat owners & others was worth it and I would have to first point out that it is much harder work than the average person thinks !!

Usually the majority of work on the lighting/boat preparation is done by a small group of people who work like dogs for 10-12 hours getting the boat ready, just in time for your "guests" to show up, at which time they;

(i) Bring a bottle of 'lesser rum'Bacardi, etc (if they bring anything), and immediatley start drinking all your Black Seal.

(ii) Drink all your mixer as they neglected to remember drinking straight rum isn't that much fun the next morning

(iii) After they crack the seal on the 2nd bottle of Black, they usually starting informing anyone who'll listen, how they would have rigged the lighting differently, snd how it would have looked better with their method.

(iv) After your snacks/hors d'ouevres have been polished off, they let you know how many other invites they turned down to come on your boat

(v) About this time one of kids break open a "glow-stick" which they spill all over the deck, as you clean up the mess, you hear the fireworks going off, but you're too busy to enjoy them.

(vi)As you arrive back at dock, they are the first ones off, with no offers of help cleaning up, gas money, etc.

At this time the original team that set-up the boat begin cleaning up, emsuring the boat is secured, just in time to step onto the dock to hear Steve Thompson doing his final "thank you's" at the end of the prize presentations.

Everyone has a great time at the boat parade except usually the owners and their small group of friends who are too busy to enjoy it at all, this in my opinion is a reason for less interest in participating in the Boat Parade, my advice start looking now for friends with boats, and leave yours on the mooring

[ace on 11.12.06 at 12:05]

"For those unhappy with the parade, may I suggest that you post your e-mail address on this site so that people who are willing to be a part of next years parade can contact you if they need additional funding or assistance for future parades."

Figured this was coming...

Alice, you read Limey's and probably my response incorrectly. We weren't UNHAPPY, we were a *little* or *a bit* disappointed. So, no need to get snarky.

It is admirable that those who choose to participate do so, my hat is off to them. That fact does not negate any of my comments.

Maybe this event should be put on every two years. Too much planning and hard work every year has made a number of people I know stop being involved.

Just a suggestion.

[texpat on 11.12.06 at 14:13]

I do not believe that you would have a boat parade if you were to have it on alternating years. You would have many, who now participate, drop out because it is only every other year.

I just wanted to offer a few suggestions toward keeping the quality of entries above a certain point. 1) Have monetary awards for categories, substantial amounts. 2) Give stipends for each entry to use toward decorations, could be based on size of boat.

I know your first question is, "Where will the money come from?" This is where suggestion #3 comes in. 3) Have the Premier's wife hold one of her infamous parties to raise more than enough money for the awards, and for stipends.

Just some thoughts.

[SmokingGun on 11.12.06 at 14:14]

What do you get when you mix Bermuda's Finest with water?

A big wave.

[Alice Carr on 11.12.06 at 23:08]

The team on John Carr's entry were as follows;

Alan Virgil - construction
Phillip Burgess - electrician
Tommy Marshall - barge owner and driver
Stephen Moniz - transportation specialist Mr. Peter Wolcock - artist John Carr - financier and one lucky son of a gun!

Thanks for the space to make sure that everyone knew who the guys are who make it happen...year after year.

Alice Carr

[Bill Cook on 12.12.06 at 06:46]

Alice.
I think everyone connected to the boat show deserve our thanks as its a mammoth task.
Boats are a lot of work which is why i never replaced mine.

This boat show has the largest audience of any function or event in Bermuda by a huge margin and its free gratus and for nothing, esp for me who overlooks the harbour.

These difficult time consuming events are tough on the entrants as after the people go home they have a lot of work to do before they can.

It reminds me when I was in Junior Chamber of Commerce and we put on the floats for Easter parade which took working thru the night with all the flowers etc,

Rest assured these events are in many ways a thankless task it seems but many of us really appreciate this wonderful event and I am sure a donation by the Tourism Dept would help.

[SmokingGun on 12.12.06 at 11:57]

"Rest assured these events are in many ways a thankless task it seems but many of us really appreciate this wonderful event and I am sure a donation by the Tourism Dept would help."

Bill - Great idea. Why not get tourism involved? Maybe the THE Foundation could help out. And no, I'm not being a wise-cracker on that one. :-)

One of the great pities is that this event is so dependent on weather conditions. Just from the get go it's difficult to get organised and presented. Hats off to all that have helped get it to where it is today and thinking caps on to those who will make sure it is something our kids get to enjoy for years to come.

[Carol Shuman on 12.12.06 at 15:16]

Hey Alice,

You go Girl. The contributions of the guys you listed have been, like so many on the island, integral to the beauty of Bermuda's boat parade and many, many other great events here. I only wish that "the only living heart transplant donor" that we both know and love (?) had as much of a sense of community pride. That's what the parade is about, and it speaks for itself. The "donor" couldn't get home the other night because of traffic to the event! Support for events like this is what keeps a community alive...

[I.B.JMC on 17.12.06 at 10:33]

It was nice to be able to watch the segment while away from home.