The banks of Magnolia Springs were once again packed with parade-goers eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Magnolia Springs Kiwanis club revived boat parade on Friday night.

Despite the cold temperatures there were at least 30 people at the public viewing point where Bay Street meets the Magnolia River and others gathered on private docks along the river.

As the sun sunk the stage was set for a nautical wonderland.

Those gathered anxiously watched through the trees to catch a glimpse of lights heading their way. After a few small boats with one red light and one green light tricked those gathered into thinking the parade was upon them. A group of tourists from Washington thought about leaving before the parade got there because it was taking so long. The snowbirds decided to hang around and when the parade finally got there, they were glad they had stuck it out.

After an hour of waiting, the boat parade finally turned the bend, blaring Christmas music and yelling holiday greetings to those watching the parade.

There were more than ten boats in this year’s parade. Some of the boats were simply decorated with a few strands of lights, while others were decorated with Christmas trees; snowflakes and one boat even had Santa as a passenger.

As Santa’s boat idled by he yelled, “Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas!” to all the children on the shore.