TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Boat Parade, Chili Cook-Off To Launch Holidays

ADVERTISEMENT

By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: November 26, 2008

GIBSONTON - You don't have to join the flotilla to be part of the 25th annual Alafia lighted boat parade. The Dec. 6 event is billed as a holiday party for landlubbers alike.

Sponsored for the first time by The Rotary Club of Riverview, the 2008 parade and its associated chili cook-off will take place at a new venue - the International Showmen's Association in Gibsonton.

"We moved it to the club to provide a better atmosphere for children and adults to kick off the holiday season," said Rotary President Paul Northrop, an advertising executive for The Tampa Tribune. "There's more room than ever. We think this year's event will offer something for everyone in the family; it will help us raise money for some great causes."

Those causes include annual scholarships for three students at Riverview and Spoto high schools; Reading Is Fundamental, a Head Start program at Riverview Elementary School; a scoreboard with signage for the new Southeast Hillsborough Soccer Field; and a project aimed at building wheelchair ramps at three homes in the Riverview area.

Registered boaters will put in at the Williams Park boat ramp in Gibsonton. At 6:30 p.m., the flotilla will launch, travel past the Showmen's Club and head up the Alafia River to the U.S. 301 bridge. The destination used to be the Riverview Civic Center.

"We changed the destination this year so that larger boats could enter," Northrop said.

The chili cook-off starts at 5 p.m. Visitors can purchase an all-you-can taste ticket for $5 and vote for their favorite chili at 8. The winner, who will be announced at 9 p.m., gets a trophy and $50 gift certificate to an area restaurant.

If you've got some chili that will knock everyone's socks off, enter by Saturday at the Riverview Chamber of Commerce, 10520 Riverview Drive, or by e-mailing snorthrup @tampatrib.com. Ten bucks and three gallons of your chili are required.

Boaters must pay a $25 entry fee to participate in the parade. Contestants will be judged by a panel of three area dignitaries. First place wins $1,000, second $300 and third $200.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the Showmen's club, with 25 percent of the proceeds going to the Rotary. Free photographs with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be taken by Alan Feldman of Feldman Photography. There will be holiday music and live entertainment, plus bounce houses, obstacle courses and carnival rides for kids.

"We want everyone to come out and have a good time," Northrop said. "We're hoping for a record turnout this year."

IF YOU GO

WHAT: 25th annual Alafia Lighted Boat Parade and Chili Cook-off

WHERE: International Showmen's Association, 6915 Riverview Drive, Riverview

WHEN: 5-10 p.m. Dec. 6

ADMISSION: Free bleacher seating; preferred seating, $10

FEATURES: Cook-off, boat parade, holiday music and live entertainment; food and drinks will be available, including alcohol; discounted food and drink tickets are available in advance

INFORMATION: Call (813) 731-2041.

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT