By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — This weekend’s boat parade promises to spread the holiday spirit. Even if it’s five months early.

The 2nd Annual Naples Christmas in July boat parade is scheduled to take place Saturday at 8:30 p.m. (around sunset). The starting spot for the night-time boat parade is Brandy Pond. So there will be excellent viewing spots from the Bob Neault Memorial Bridge and from the Naples Causeway. 

Last year, the Christmas-themed boat parade was the Naples’ answer to the cancellation of festivals, fairs and annual events due to COVID. The boat parade was popular enough to earn a repeat performance.

This time, the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce (SLRCC) is involved.

“A good reason to get involved in the boat parade is because it is fun. It is great way to get your boat out there and have a fun time,” according to SLRCC Executive Director Robin Mullins.

It was originally pulled off last year because of the social distancingrecommended during the pandemic, she said. 

“People enjoyed it so much and said, ‘Hey, we should do this again.’ It is great way to get people together. If you don’t have a boat, you can watch. It is a great way to build camaraderieon the water, and even on the land,” she said.

The chamber is expecting a good turnout because posters were delivered to the campgrounds and residents on the lakes and local business. Plus, the Christmas in July boat parade was posted on Facebook.

“Whether you have a boat or not, you can participate in this. All those people are coming together and have fun — that is really what it is all about,” Mullins said.

Also, measures are being taken to make the event even more safe than last year, according to Mark Maroon, with the Naples Marine Safety Department. 

“We have got buoys this year. Last year, one of the biggest concerns was knowing where to go. It caused quite a bit of confusion,” Maroon said. “This year, we have buoys, 28 buoys.” 

“The boaters want to keep to the left side of the buoys.When they get down to Pine Island, we are going to make it easy, we have buoys marking the route. Stay inside the buoys and go to the next one. Stay inside that imaginary line and they will be safe,” Maroon said. “It will give the person who may have been afraid of that area because of rocks an opportunity to be involved.” 

The boat parade route has that perfect balance of being “far enough out to keep people safe, but close enough that people on the shore can enjoy it,” he said. 

“The other thing is we’ll keep it tight. WE will keep boats 5 to 10 feet apart. At 5 mph, it will keep everyone in line,” he said. 

There will be two Marine Safety boat with blue lights on. The fire boat, with an EMT aboard, is taking the rear of the event. 

People are encouragedto register online at the Sebago Lake Chamber of Commerce

sebagolakeschamber.comParticipantsare asked to gather in Brandy Pond around 8 p.m. to start getting in line for parade.