Registration and Requirements

Pre-register for the Boat Decorating Contest: 10/1 through 12/3 to receive a lighted number/sign for voting

Participate in the Boat Parade: Saturday, 12/10, starting at 6 p.m.

Community Voting: Begins at 6:30 p.m. on 12/10 and continues through noon on 12/11

Winners Announced: evening of Sunday, 12/11, via the Dana Shores Civic Association Email Distribution List, neighbors-only Facebook group, and the January issue of the Shore Lines.

Please read the guidelines and instructions below. If you have any questions, please email info@danashores.com.

Those who participate in the boat parade must read and agree to the following:

1. CONTEST ENTRY
   1. Pre-registration is only required to compete in the decorating contest; it is not required to participate in the parade.
       
   2. Applications for the boat-decorating contest should be received no later than 5 p.m. on Dec. 3.  Others participating in the parade need only be at the basin in front of the Westin and Bahama Breeze at 6:00 p.m. on December 10 to line up.  
       
   3. The order of entries will be by pre-assigned number (for decorating contest participants) followed by those who do not wish to participate in the contest on a first-come, first-serve basis with the exception of certain lead boats.  
       
   4. Participation is open to all residents in Dana Shores, Pelican Island, Sweetwater, and Bay Crest. 
       
   5. Entry is free. No cost or fees apply.
       
   6. Neighborhood association board members are not eligible to participate in the contest but may participate in the parade.  
       
   7. Contest participants must display an LED Entry Number Sign. One can be provided by the Dana Shores Civic Association. This sign should be placed in a conspicuous location on the starboard side of your boat facing outward so the crowd can see it. Please return your lit boat number the day after the parade. Instructions will be included on the back of the sign you receive.  
       
   8. Judging is based on crowd appeal as viewed from docks throughout the parade route.  Entrants may want to consider unique designs, creative use of lights and decorations, storylines or themes, music, animated objects, and holiday spirit.
       
2. SAFETY FIRST
   1. Review, plan ahead for, and remain aware of the weather and tides.  
       
   2. Print out and familiarize yourself with the route ahead of time. The boat parade should not be your first time navigating the canals after dark. 
       
   3. Ensure decorations do not block or limit your view at night. 
       
   4. All parade entries must be motorized and able to maintain forward motion throughout the duration of the parade. Captains must maintain a safe speed and following distance throughout the duration of the parade and may not be intoxicated or otherwise impaired. 
       
   5. To protect our wildlife, participants may not throw beads, candy, or other objects into the water. 
       
   6. Each entry must have proper safety equipment (e.g., fire extinguishers, life jackets, navigational lights, railings, and hand-holds). 
       
3. MARKETING AND COPYRIGHT
   1. Line-up begins at 6:00 p.m. and continues until the parade begins at 6:30 p.m. During line-up, photos may be taken of each vessel from the Bahama Breeze dock.  
       
   2. Participants agree to have one or more photos of their decorated boat posted on DanaShores.com, the community Facebook page, the Shore Lines newsletter, and other marketing materials for the Dana Shores Civic Association. Participant agrees that there will be no compensation of any kind for said posting or publication. 
       
4. ADDITIONAL TERMS
   1. Captains, crew members, spectators, and all others involved in any way with the Rocky Point Boat Parade, indemnify and hold harmless the Dana Shores Civic Association and its Board of Directors, volunteers, and members from and against any loss, damage, expense or liabilities that may result from any first- or third party claims arising out of or relating to the parade.
       
   2. The Dana Shores Civic Association and its Board of Directors, volunteers, and members shall not be liable for any delays or failures to perform due to causes beyond their control. 
       
   3. The limit of the Dana Shores Civic Association’s and its Board of Directors’, volunteers’ and members’ liability, regardless of the form of action, shall be equal to dues actually received from the complainant in that year. 
       
5. The above sets forth the complete agreement between all parties and supersedes all prior discussions and communications related to the subject matter.