Jacksonville Light Parade tonight on the downtown riverfront!

Started by MASDjax, November 28, 2009, 09:22:29 AM

Print
Go Down Pages1 2
User actions

MASDjax

November 28, 2009, 09:22:29 AM
Kick off the holiday season tonight at the Jacksonville Light Parade tonight on the downtown riverfront starting at 7 p.m.

About the parade
Each year, boats of every shape and size are imaginatively adorned with decorations that captivate senses and stimulate imaginations. Seafarers and landlubbers of all ages are sure to be dazzled by the area's largest lighted boat parade which was voted as Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 events.

Holiday Fireworks Spectacular
Following the 2009 boat parade, fireworks will be shot from river barges in front of The Jacksonville Landing, Hyatt Regency Hotel and Metropolitan Park. The signature "waterfall" fireworks will be shot from both sides of the Main Street Bridge and the east side of the Acosta Bridge.

Viewing the parade
Each year, the parade can be seen from both the northbank and southbank of the downtown riverfront. Families are encouraged to bring their chairs, blankets and picnics to the riverfront for this magical evening!

Announcements of parading boats, themes and holiday messages will be broadcast along the northbank and southbank of the riverfront. For complete info including upcoming downtown holiday events happening next week, visit www.makeascenedowntown.com
The City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events is proud to offer low- or no-cost entertainment and educational events to residents and visitors. These events are vital to our community, its ability to thrive, and to be seen as an ideal destination for visitors. www.makeascenedowntown.com

BridgeTroll

#1
November 28, 2009, 09:28:35 AM
C-Ya there!  Great event and fun time!
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Jerry Moran

#2
November 28, 2009, 04:07:05 PM
These events attract a very rough crowd.  If you plan on attending, please secure your vehicle and keep your guard up at all times.  One of my employee's car window was broken out last night by rock throwing hooligans.  The JSO officer who responded described the scene at the Landing as a being dangerous and "not like it used to be".  I would not take my family there under any circumstances.

tufsu1

#3
November 28, 2009, 10:10:25 PM
same thing with tonight's boat show...perfect for families (unless of course you're Jerry)!

Lunican

#4
November 28, 2009, 10:15:11 PM Last Edit: November 28, 2009, 10:16:57 PM by Lunican

MASDjax

#5
November 28, 2009, 11:00:20 PM
Quote from: Jerry Moran on November 28, 2009, 04:07:05 PM
These events attract a very rough crowd.  If you plan on attending, please secure your vehicle and keep your guard up at all times.  One of my employee's car window was broken out last night by rock throwing hooligans.  The JSO officer who responded described the scene at the Landing as a being dangerous and "not like it used to be".  I would not take my family there under any circumstances.

Hi Jerry,

The Jacksonville Light Parade is a very family-friendly event that brings thousands of people to the downtown riverfront to celebrate the holidays. You describe the incident as "last night." Do you mean that this happened during the tree lighting last night or tonight's Light Parade? I suggest you contact the Landing management about the incident if it happened on Landing property.

As for the Light Parade tonight, I hope you had a chance to enjoy the event as another free opportunity for families to enjoy the holiday downtown.
The City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events is proud to offer low- or no-cost entertainment and educational events to residents and visitors. These events are vital to our community, its ability to thrive, and to be seen as an ideal destination for visitors. www.makeascenedowntown.com

MASDjax

#6
November 28, 2009, 11:04:23 PM
LIGHT PARADE WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The City of Jacksonville is proud to announce the following winners from the 25th annual Jacksonville Light Parade, held tonight, on the downtown riverfront. The Grand Overall Winner was Captain Steve DiPerna whose boat Escape included Santa Claus and all his reindeer choreographed to the popular song Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.

In the sailboat category, the first place winner was Captain Eric Lockwood, with his boat Quiet Flight which was decorated with a 15-foot toy soldier with a “boatload” of presents.  The second place sailboat winner was Captain James Misora, with his boat Peppin, which was decorated with beautiful blue lights.

The 1st place winner in the 30’ and Over Powerboat category was Captain Bill Just, with his boat Just For Now, whose boat was decorated as a giant gingerbread house.  Second place in the 30’ and Over category was captured by Captain Eric Nord aboard Island Girl decorated with lights in the shape of a large bicycle.

In the Under 30’ Powerboat category, first place went to Captain  Eugene Yerkes, whose boat Calamity was decorated as a baby dragon.  Second place in the Under 30’ Category went to Captain Jeff Streif, with his boat W.O.W.-Waiting on Wendy, whose boat featured lights representing a large heart, peace sign, and flower.

Captain Tommy Silverblatt took honors in the Corporate/Commercial category, with his crew on 4 Therapy  sporting a sea theme with starfish, clam shell, mermaid and Santa.  Topping the Organized Club category was Captain Rich Brew aboard K O A S decorated as a large dragon.  Best New Entry honors went to Captain Chuck Fields with his boat Zaida, complete with an Angel of Hope decorated in lights with moving wings that made her look like she was in flight.   The Holiday Spirit award went to Captain Fillipe Macedo aboard the CVS Caremark covered in holiday-themed lights and decorations.             

Boats were judged based on lights and decorations, composition and originality.  Judges for the 24th annual Jacksonville Light Parade were: Daniel James, owner of Daniel James Salon; Janice Dailey, Director of Sales and Marketing, Crown Plaza Hotel; and Joey Marchy, www.urbanjacksonville.info

The 2009 Jacksonville Light Parade was produced by the City of Jacksonville and sponsored by Lite 96.1 FM, 99.9 Gator Country WGNE, MOViN 100.7 WMUV.  This event is part of the Make A Scene Downtown! event series.
The City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events is proud to offer low- or no-cost entertainment and educational events to residents and visitors. These events are vital to our community, its ability to thrive, and to be seen as an ideal destination for visitors. www.makeascenedowntown.com

MASDjax

#7
November 28, 2009, 11:39:15 PM
The City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events is proud to offer low- or no-cost entertainment and educational events to residents and visitors. These events are vital to our community, its ability to thrive, and to be seen as an ideal destination for visitors. www.makeascenedowntown.com

BridgeTroll

#8
November 29, 2009, 11:15:08 AM
Awesome event last night!  Crowds were large and well behaved... clearly the children and families had fun... great boats and the fireworks were spectacular!
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

Ernest Street

#9
November 29, 2009, 01:01:13 PM
Bridgetroll....don't forget..NO WIND!! ;D

MASDjax

#10
November 29, 2009, 01:18:10 PM
Can we expect a MetroJacksonville.com boat next year? Say yes!
The City of Jacksonville Office of Special Events is proud to offer low- or no-cost entertainment and educational events to residents and visitors. These events are vital to our community, its ability to thrive, and to be seen as an ideal destination for visitors. www.makeascenedowntown.com

Charles Hunter

#11
November 29, 2009, 02:15:45 PM
I can see it now ... Ocklawaha piloting an old trolley car with pontoons ... :D

BridgeTroll

#12
November 29, 2009, 03:04:59 PM
QuoteCan we expect a MetroJacksonville.com boat next year? Say yes!

Great idea!  I would volunteer to help put one together!
In a boat at sea one of the men began to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat. On being remonstrating with, he answered, "I am only boring under my own seat." "Yes," said his companions, "but when the sea rushes in we shall all be drowned with you."

DavidWilliams

#13
November 29, 2009, 07:01:23 PM
My wife and sister-in-law went with two kids and said it was great (and family friendly). No bad experiences. I was under the weather with a sinus infection and couldn't be there. Anything that highlights the downtown waterfront and brings in crowds is a positive in my opinion.

Jerry Moran

#14
November 29, 2009, 11:34:31 PM Last Edit: November 30, 2009, 03:09:37 AM by Jerry Moran
QuoteThese events attract a very rough crowd.  If you plan on attending, please secure your vehicle and keep your guard up at all times.  One of my employee's car window was broken out last night by rock throwing hooligans.  The JSO officer who responded described the scene at the Landing as a being dangerous and "not like it used to be".  I would not take my family there under any circumstances.

I am merely repeating what a JSO officer had to say about the demeanor of the crowd at the Tree Lighting.  The officer stated that a relative had told him earlier in the week that she planned to take her family to the Tree Lighting.  He was not in favor of the idea, due to his past experience with downtown special events. He did not know if they went or not, but telephoned her in a panic right after a "huge fight" broke out at the Landing, to find out if she was safe. 

As for my restaurant on Laura St, downtown special events hurt my business.  Convenient parking is not available.  The streets are filled with intimidating looking people who discourage my guests from leaving the safety of their vehicles, if they can first find parking.  There is a constant stream of hooting, shouting thugs that pass by and bang on my window, pull my front door open, and heavily contribute to the miasma that is Downtown Jacksonville.  There is no police presence in sight, apparently because City Hall would rather throw a party than protect the City's citizens and preserve the peace by adequately funding the JSO.  How can City Hall in good conscience underfund the JSO in favor of special events that are of questionable value to the community?  And, why is the COJ involved in entertainment, period?

During the boat parade, the bridges were closed, and many of my upscale, high dollar spending customers called  to say they could not make their dinner reservation because "They can't get downtown".  Many of my regular customers tell me they will not venture down town at all when a special event is in progress, due to previous bad experiences.  Downtown special events discourage the very people City Hall claims it wants to attract.  I never received any notice from City Hall that the bridges  would be closed. What these poorly planned, inadequately policed events do is attract a rabble of miscreants to downtown, and they bring their bad attitudes and behaviors with them.  The result is, well, rocks being thrown at automobile windows:





Print
Go Up Pages1 2
User actions