The Tribune

THE Sir Durward Knowles Festival of Lights Christmas Boat Parade will sail into Nassau Harbour on Saturday night, the seventh year the flotilla has cast off for a voyage through historic Nassau Harbour.

Starting in Arawak Bay at 6.30pm, the lighted flotilla will make its way under the Nassau bridges to Montagu and then circle back to its start location, stopping both ways at Pier 14, where the crowd can get a close-up of the boats as they turn in the channel.

Last year’s parade had over 20 boats, from the small sailboat Sea Girl to the huge commercial craft MV Garth Dean. Grand Marshall Peter Andrews, the sailor and philanthropist, says the event has come at the right time. “We need this right now,” he said. “We have bounced back from a major hurricane, we have endured some hard times and now as we head into Christmas we want everyone to join in and make this a great show for our not only us and our kids to see, but also as a memorable event for our tourists.”

Winners for best decorated vessel in each category will win a cash purse and other prizes, including travel vouchers, hotel, dinners and more. Winners are determined by a panel of five judges, who get a first hand view of each vessel from Alan Burrows’ boat which weaves them amongst the boats in the parade. Entries are judged on the criteria of music, visible relevance to theme and originality. This year’s theme is “a pirate Christmas i nthe Bahamas” and organisers are hoping to get a glimpse of the good ol’ days of Nassau Harbour and the infamous Blackbeard and Anne Bonny!

The event had been scheduled for last weekend but was posptoned due to high winds.

“We’re very excited about this year’s event and look forward to entertaining the crowds that come out to see the boats each year,” said Janet Johnson, Festival Chairman “Tickets for this year’s Yellow Bird Party Boat are on sale now at $35 adults, $25 children, including a boxed Christmas dinner to enjoy.

There will also be a DJ, dancing and a cash bar - an exciting and colourful way to start the Christmas season”

For more information visit the Festival of Lights Bahamas Facebook page, or call 427-3757.