Mayor Rob Marlowe
In all the years that I’ve lived in New Port Richey I’ve never been in a boat for the Riverlights Boat Parade. I had that opportunity this past Saturday and it was lots of fun.
We live across the street from the river, so we’ve often walked out 
our front door and watched the parade. Each year brings some amazingly well decorated boats. This year was no exception.
Councilman Jeff Starkey offered his boat for use as a city entry. I joined Jeff, Councilman Bill Phillips, Joy Phillips, and City Manager Debbie Manns for the ride from Sunset Landing to Sims Park.
It was amazing how many people showed up to watch the parade. Not only were the various restaurants and riverfront parks packed, but so were quite a few back yards. It seems that folks all along the river decided it was a great opportunity to throw a party. The weather cooperated, with a beautiful sunset, moonrise, and generally perfect conditions for the event. The sea fog waited until all of the boats had arrived at Sims Park before it started rolling in.
One of the most amazing things I saw was a huge kayak – It must have been 40′ long.
There is a youtube video of the boat parade online.
More so than our street parades, the Riverlights Boat Parade remains a local event. We had home built entries from West Pasco as opposed to the professional floats that dominate our street parades.
This sort of event is what gives New Port Richey its local flavor.
A special thanks go out to Riverlights Chairman Steve Hunter and everyone who helped make the event possible.
Pasco Camera’s Jim Smetzer was taking pictures. I can’t wait to see them.
This coming Saturday night is the annual Christmas Holiday Parade, sponsored by the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce and run by the great members of the Holiday Rotary Club. The weekend forecast is brisk, but clear at parade time. The parade comes up Grand from Gulf Drive, loops around Orange Lake, and then out Main Street to US 19. Anywhere along that route should be a great place to park your folding chairs and enjoy. The viewing areas north of Main on Grand and around Orange Lake are probably the best locations.
If you have young kids or grandkids, encourage them to take a nap Saturday afternoon so they can stay up for this great event.
I look forward to seeing you downtown this coming Saturday night.
Rob Marlowe, Mayor