The Greater Wildwood 20th annual Christmas in July Boat Parade leaves Sunset Bay heading for Wildwood Crest on July 19. Photos by Al Campbell

NORTH WILDWOOD -- The Greater Wildwood 20th annual Christmas in July Boat Parade began on time at 7 p.m. on July 19, and was given a good send off by well wishers who lined the bulkhead near Sunset Bay, and the line of vessels headed south toward Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest where, at 9:30 p.m. fireworks were to brighten the sky.

There was a strong breeze that blew maritime decorations around the vessels in the parade, but the spirit was all Christmas and the North Pole as the merrymakers pointed south.

Prizes were to be given at Lighthouse Pointe about 11 p.m.

The following is from the boat parade's Web site:

Since 1988, residents and visitors of the Wildwoods have enjoyed this spectacle of lights and sounds that brings the spirit of Christmas to the Intercoastal Waterways in the middle of the Summer. Year after year, the displays got more and more extravagant. But in 2005, the dwindling number of participants and lack of funds almost threatened the existence of the parade. That is when a group of volunteers stepped in and gave the event new life, all with the help of major sponsors. Now, the Christmas in July Boat Parade is more successful than ever and it promises to keep growing over the next few years.

The Christmas in July Boat Parade is about more than just decorated boats, residents along the waterways are also eligible to enter the decorating contest and win prizes. There are two boat categories (24' or less and 25' and more) as well as a residential and a commercial category.
Our Volunteers

In 2006, new volunteers joined the Boat Parade Committee to help breathe new life into the event. The committee is now formed of representatives from the City of North Wildwood, the Borough of Wildwood Crest and the City of Wildwood as well as from sponsoring businesses such as Crest Savings Bank, Coastal Broadcasting Systems, and the Lighthouse Pointe Restaurant. Other sponsors such as Sunset Bay Restaurant, South Dock Marina, Scooner Island Marina and more, also participate in the planning of the event.