Flagler County gearing up for record-breaking holiday boat parade
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. - Deputies in Flagler County are preparing to ensure safety at Florida’s largest holiday boat parade, set for Sunday evening.
The heightened precautions follow a recent boat crash during a similar parade in Merritt Island that injured three people.
This year marks the 41st Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade, expected to feature nearly 200 boats, breaking last year’s record.
"It's an awesome thing. The entire community gets extremely excited about it. You can kind of feel the vibes in the air," said Justin Wilmont, captain of the lead boat Reel Freedom.
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He said safety for such an event begins with coordination and communication.
"Especially for the lead boat," he added. "A lot of control over the CB radio so everybody is staying in communication with everybody on our channels."
Thousands of spectators are anticipated to line the Intracoastal Waterway as the parade caps off a weekend of holiday festivities.
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Sheriff Rick Staly says deputies and officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will patrol the route on five boats to ensure a safe event.
"If we see something reckless, we will pull them off, and they’ll get a stern talking to from a sheriff's deputy," the sheriff said.
The parade kicks off on Sunday at 6 p.m.
The Source: Information provided by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and 41st Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade organizers.