The Patchogue Riverfront Committee will sponsor this year’s 16th annual Christmas Holiday Boat Parade, which will take place on November 22 along the beautiful Patchogue River. The parade begins at 6 p.m. Santa Claus will arrive at Patchogue by sea to start the holiday season.
Free public viewing as well as the reviewing stand is at the Davis Park Ferry Terminal/ Sandspit Park on Brightwood Street. The Committee expects several dozen boats of all shapes and sizes, to decorate and enter the parade and a record number of viewers to attend at the public viewing area as well as participating riverfront establishments, this year.
After taking over sponsorship from the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce, the Patchogue Riverfront Committee has decided to name the this year’s parade “The Christmas Holiday Boat Parade” as a way of recognizing that most of the participants celebrate Christmas, But the parade invites all that share this holiday season to celebrate together..
In prior years, the parade was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. In 2008, the parade was involved in a controversy when it changed its name to the “Holiday Boat Parade. This resulted in fewer spectators attending the parade.
The Patchogue Riverfront Committee includes several riverfront restaurants, including Off Key Tikki, Harbor Crab Co., On the Waterfront and The Oar. These restaurants will offer specials during Parade Day.
Off Key Tikki offers a beach barbeque and free buffet starting at 4 p.m. and drink specials. Harbor Crab Co. announces that Santa will be here for dinner, with seatings at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. On The Waterfront will feature dinner and drink specials and give out free candy canes; reservations are strongly encouraged. The Oar offers indoor dining, as well as an outdoor heated deck where hot dogs, chili and hot cocoa will be served.
For more information, call Michael Bruemmer, Chairman, Patchogue Riverfront Committee, at (631) 804-0595.
