The Wandering Disciple

Snoopy has been waging war against the Red Baron in the Peanuts comic strips for over fifty years. This epic dogfight between dog and ace was the premise behind the Red Barron entry into the 2019 Venice Christmas Boat Parade. The intricate details of the iconic battle led the vessel to the best in show award during this year's parade. (Photo: December 7, 2019)

Venice, Florida: The first Saturday of December in Venice only means one thing, its time for the annual Venice Christmas Boat Parade. For thirty years, the parade has been a staple of the holiday events for the island of Venice and surrounding communities. The Venice Christmas Boat Parade began in 1989 with 41 boats entered the inaugural year. The parade has continued annually since and celebrated its thirty year anniversary. The event kicks off from the Nokomis boat ramp and continues south through the intercoastal waterway to the Circus Bridge at south end of the island of Venice. This year’s parade featured 31 vessels registered ranging from small pleasure boats, to sailboats, to large yachts. Awards were given out in different size classes as well as a best in show and viewer’s choice award. The award winners for the 2019 Venice Christmas Boat Parade are: Best in Show  - #25 Red Barron  29ft & less - #6 Thunderstruck  30ft to 39ft - #26 Joan Marie ...

Nothing says Christmas in Florida quite like a boat decked out with Christmas lights.  Snow and freezing holiday weather are a distant memory so with the sub-tropical climate of sunny Southwest Florida, Floridians look to the water for an annual Christmas tradition.  On the first Saturday of December, colorful boats sail down the Intercoastal Waterway for the Venice Christmas Boat Parade.  (Photo: December 4, 2010)

Venice, Florida: The intercoastal waterway was filled with colorful Christmas lights as the 2015 Venice Christmas Boat Parade took to the waters. Occurring the first Saturday of December, the annual event helps ring in the holiday season in a tropical fashion as the decked out boats travel down the waterway in bright holiday lights. Thousands of visitor line the parade route which extends from the Albee Road Bridge to the Circus Bridge at the south end of the island of Venice. The parade started back in 1989 and has become a popular holiday attraction on the west coast of Florida. Each year, thousands of people flock to the water bank to catch a glimpse of these brightly decorated vessels. The results for the 28th Annual Venice Christmas Boat Parade are as follows: 29 and Under  1st # 32 Traditions 2nd #4 Thunderstruck 30-39  1st #8 Snowman 40& over  1st #1 Trust No One 2nd #35 Knot-T-Boyz Service, Club , Commercial  1st #14 Paradiso 2nd...

While some people enjoy their Christmas parades to ring in the holiday, Venice has a tropical way to say hello to the holidays. The Venice Christmas Boat Parade kicks off at 6pm along the Intercoastal Waterway stretching from the Albee Road Bridge to the Circus Bridge. I will be covering this years event for the parade committee and will have photos coming soon. (Photo: December 1, 2012)

Venice, Florida: After dodging the cancellation bullet, the supporters and performers of the Venice Christmas Boat Parade showed up in large numbers to shine brightly in the night sky. Several thousands spectators lines the banks of the Intercoastal Waterway in Venice to watch the 25th annual parade. The parade was almost cancelled this year due to lack of support, but supporters of the event rallied and the parade took place. The annual parade has been entertaining Venice on the first Saturday of December since 1989. The parade starts at the public boat ramp at Casey Key. It continues through the Jetty before coming to an end near the Circus Bridge. At the conclusion of the parade route, the boats are judged and awards are given in multiple categories. Forty-six boats participated in this years event. Click on the photos above to view the participants and the winners in my 2013 Venice Christmas Boat Parade photo gallery .

Almost 50 colorful boats lined the intercoastal waterway in Venice for the 25th annual Venice Christmas Boat Parade. (Photo: December 7, 2013)