Best viewing from Bayfront Park in downtown Sarasota
“Sarasota Bay will come alive with festive lights and holiday cheer this Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.,” as the 39th Annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade of Lights takes place, the nonprofit Suncoast Charities for Children has announced.
Thirty “brightly decorated boats will glide past Marina Jack and Bayfront Park, creating a dazzling display for families and visitors of all ages,” a news release notes.
The best viewing, the release points out, will be from Bayfront Park, located at 5 Bayfront Drive, on the west side of U.S. 41 in downtown Sarasota.” No admission fee is required.
“This annual event is organized by Suncoast Charities for Children, in partnership with Marina Jack and City of Sarasota,” the release explains. Members of the public are “encouraged to spread holiday joy by making a cash donation, which will be matched up to $10,000,” the release adds, “thanks to the generosity” of The Reinhart Foundation.
Alternatively, donations of new, unwrapped books and toys for children up to age 12 will be welcome, the release points out.
Cash donations may be made online at suncoastcharitiesforchildren.org, the release notes, while donation boxes are located at Marina Jack Restaurant, O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill in the City of Sarasota’s Bayfront Park, Lake Michigan Credit Union, and the Starbucks standing at 5329 Fruitville Road.
Suncoast Charities for Children provides funding support for “critical programs and services” offered by Children First, The Haven, The Florida Center for Early Childhood, the Loveland Center, the Special Olympics, and Venice Challenger Baseball, the release adds.
“This holiday tradition is about more than lights and boats,” said Lucy Nicandri, executive director of Suncoast Charities for Children, in the release. “It is about bringing joy to local children, teens, and adults with special needs and their families,” she added.
“We’re grateful to Nick and Jourdan Reinhart, of The Reinhart Foundation, for helping us maximize every donation, ensuring the holidays are brighter for so many in our community,” Nicandri also noted.
“The event is co-chaired by Lana Jackson and Lisa Baer,” with support from Shelly’s Christmas Boutique, Florida Power & Light Co., ABC7, 92.1 CTQ, Budweiser/Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, Republic National Distributing, Crown Trophy of Sarasota, United Rentals, Suntex Marinas, Marina Jack, and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune -Local IQ.
For more information, visit suncoastcharitiesforchildren.org.