Members You Need to Meet
Tom and Dee Little
December, 2010
Our Punta Gorda Isles Rim Canal Boat Parade celebrates its tenth anniversary December 18, 2010. Time flies. Displaced northerners now trade their sleds and snow in favor of lighted boats for Christmas here. The parade started with just thirteen boats and has grown to over fifty. It has become a model for Christmas boat parades elsewhere. In 2006 and 2007, we were the largest boat parade in our state.
Tom and Dee Little and a dedicated committee persevered throughout to make the PGI Rim Canal Boat Parade the success it is. Tom and Dee moved from Atlanta to the northern section of PGI, near the harbor twenty three years ago. Happily, the neighborhood was brightly lit at Christmas. In 1999 they built a new house on the rim canal. Sadly, this area of PGI was not as brightly lit for the holidays. Tom had a year to think about how he might light up the rim canal.
Tom and friends had worked and participated in the Peace River Boat Parade. He decided that a Rim Canal Boat Parade would do the trick. The rest is history.
As the years continued, the parade grew to over fifty boats and 10,000 spectators filling yards, docks and empty lots. Many on the route open their homes to spectators, making this a very festive occasion. The parade is always the Saturday before Christmas.
One year Nikki Harris, who lives on La Costa Island, approached Tom and asked could accommodate large boats. Tom’s reply was “Your canal is dark, and it would be difficult to take the boats down there.” Well, Nikki got to work and encouraged all her neighbors to light up their seawalls and even light up the empty lots. She was successful. The boat parade goes down La Costa Island canal. Lorraine Schaeffer lit up the lagoon between Los Alamos and Key Largo and the boat parade visits there. Now the route is over five miles long. Noel Hyde is another contributor who lights up the boats and houses on a canal dubbed Christmas Cove by Tom. Noel’s lighting displays change as the years go by. Some are now displayed on homes in Christmas Cove. Check them out. What will Noel do this year?
Tom mentioned that the boat owners spend a great deal of time and money to decorate their boats. Remember as the parade goes by the lanai, party, dock, or the empty lot you are viewing it from, show your appreciation by clapping or cheering. Everyone involved appreciates it.
PLEASE LIGHT UP YOUR SEAWALL, THE EMPTY LOTS NEAR YOU, AND/OR ENCOURAGE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO LIGHT UP. IT IS THE FUN WAY PGI CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS. DECEMBER 18, 2010!!