This year, BBR's overall theme is "Mardi Gras". We'll use that theme for the BBR Boat Parade, too!
"Mardi Gras - Let the good times ... SAIL!"
The opening day parade of boats heading to the “Start Your Heart Out” practice line is the grand opening and long-standing tradition of the BBR event. At noon on opening day all registered boats will enter the Paradise Village Marina harbor and will be ushered into the proper sequence to parade past the judges stand. They will then proceed to the “Start Your Heart Out” practice area.
While the competitors are out on the race course, spectators can only easily see them with binoculars. The Boat Parade is the best chance for them to see the competing boats up close and to let the skippers and crew hear their cheers of encouragement. All boats registered for the Regatta will start the festivities at this event.
Crews are encouraged to decorate their boats, and themselves, for a sail-past a viewing stand where an MC will call out the name of the boat, give a little information about the boat and crew, and give the crowd on the shore a chance to cheer them on. A team of judges will decide which boat best demonstrates the theme, and a trophy will be presented at the end-of-event awards dinner.