Harbor lights

The Carrabelle River glowed with floating lights Saturday after the city marked its annual Holiday on the Harbor festivities with a festive boat parade, followed by a stunning fireworks display.

“I think it was outstanding with an amazing attendance,” said Lori Dougherty, director of the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce. “I’d say it was a great success.

“I was walking along with the crowd and I overheard a lady say ‘Carrabelle knows how to have fun.’ That was nice to hear,” she said. “Visitors young and old at the festival seemed to be enjoying themselves as well as our local festival shoppers. From what I can tell the local chatter is all positive and it was a great time.”

Blessed with warm and clear skies, the celebration began with a steady stream of visitors, who took in the petting zoo and visited with Santa Claus after he made his grand entrance on a fire truck. Visitors enjoyed a host of family fun activities, such as the sheriff’s department bouncy house, mini-train rides, and a book giveaway by Bring Me a Book Franklin.

Cody Barber and the band, Cheap Sunglasses, performed, and there was a street dance with a DJ, with the festivities along the Carrabelle harbor along Marine Street.

All told there were six food vendors and 27 merchandise vendors, an ample showing for the annual affair. As the skies darkened, it was time for the boat parade in the Harbor.

The Best of Show award went to Steve and Kirsten Cowles, while the Marina Challenge winner was The Moorings.

The top Paddled Vessel award went to Tom Herzog, with awards for the best vessel under 20 feet going to top finisher Russell and Bonnie McMillian, with second place to Alex Skorvonsku and third place to Mark Olsten.

For vessels between 20 and 24 feet long, the top honor went to the Bill Shuey watercraft, with the vessel piloted by Corey and Kristy Butler in second place and that of Amy Miller in third.

For those vessels larger than 24 feet, the winner was the boat of Ernie Roybal, with Tim Sullivan’s watercraft in second place, and the boat piloted by Ron Niehaus, from Harry’s Bar, in third.

“The Carrabelle’s Boat Parade of Lights did not disappoint,” said Sheriff A.J. Smith. “All the boats looked great, and to top the night off, the fireworks were fantastic. Thank you to everyone who made this event a great one, we sure had a great time in the boat parade.”

The fireworks that closed the evening were particularly well-received, with their costs borne by the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency.