The Blue Whale and Other Travel Tales: The Annual Madiera Beach Boat Parade Or Not

The Annual Madiera Beach Boat Parade--That I Don’t Think Happened This Year—PAAAAARTY

I have written about Rick’s [in]famous Boat Parade Party before. But, it is always fun to attend and then write about it. Actually, I’m going to copy much of the posting from last year with some updates, including a few pictures and a post script on the non-boat parade.

Florida’s Christmas celebrations are soooo different than those in northern climes. Many towns have street parades, oft at night. But many of the coastal or bay front towns have an additional parade…a parade of boats from tiny dinghies to mammoth yachts highly decorated with lights, dancing Santas (some in red shorts, Hawaiian shirt and surf board--hohoho), trees--some dancing, more lights and an assortment of “red-nosed” animals. Yes, of course, we have Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer. But then, there are the red-nosed turtles, flamingoes, dolphins and various and sundry other lesser known red-nosed creatures. I am sure they all must have names, but I will leave it to the reader’s imagination to name these critters. I personally like the alliteration found in Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Can’t get that alliterative sound with these other animals.

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Rick's neighbor

One of our favorite annual traditions at this time of the year is the party at Rick’s. Rick is a really great guy with a big heart and lots of hospitality. His home is on the beautiful Boca Ciega Bay (a smaller bay just north of Tampa Bay). Originally, the waterfront was surrounded by small cottage-type houses, many framed or block. Because it is on the water’s edge, much of the area has been bought by folks who tore down the old charming bungalows and built huge multi-story houses. There are several surrounding Rick’s place. His place, however, is still a block bungalow built over the course of a couple or three decades…remnants of earlier architecture.

Rick has a philosophy about the color of his house. Go to the paint store, buy whatever has been returned by someone else. And paint the wall that color. If one gallon is not enough, buy as many gallons as one might need to complete a wall. If the colors are not the same…no problem…just mix them all together...and paint the wall that color. Thus, the exterior of his home has one wall facing the bay (the east wall) that is sort of pinkish. One wall is greenish (I think that is the north wall). Since there are a couple of ells, the walls switch color. The west wall which faces the road is various shades of blue. This wall is painted in a wavy shore motif.

The interior walls have the same criteria. Buy whatever, mix it, paint with it. In the past, one bathroom was kind of an apple red on the walls, plum ceiling and a turquoise shag rug. One of his many friends actually found a curtain with those exact colors and tied the room together. But this year, it had acquired a new coat of paint. The new colors were like that of a desert. Someone had actually painted cactus and desert flowers around the base

Rick is the bass player in the 97th String Band--we like to believe world famous--a group that plays music from the ‘60’s—that is the 1860’s. Their music is music that would have been heard during the Civil War. Great music!

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Rick--Seven swans a-swimming

Anyway, back to the annual tradition. Rick opens his house and heart on the waterfront on the day of the boat parade scheduled for the town of Madiera Beach.

He provides soda, ice and some beer. A few years ago, all these items were put in his canoe which was near the house. The canoe has since been retired. He now uses real coolers.

Anyone/everyone is welcome…neighbors, students (he is a retired teachers), other teachers, railroad enthusiasts (he likes trains), friends, friends of friends, and friends of friends’ friends and probably their friends. Of course, any Civil War reenactor who is inclined to attend is welcome. This group forms the largest part of the population. Often there are people floating through his house and yard that he does not really know. It is a great family event. Children of all ages are welcomed (as long as their parents, uncles or grandparents watch over them).

He never worries about food, as he provides none of it. The criterion for this party is to bring something…anything from store-boughten chicken wings to homemade chili. Greek salad, pizza, ethnic specialties, sandwiches, pasta salad, store-bought sweets, homemade cookies and cake, appetizers—including dips, crackers, chips, hummus. Some years lots of pasta dishes show up (none, except the salad, this year),

Although the boat parade is supposed to arrive in front of his dock somewhere between 7:15 and 8:00 pm, people start arriving about five-ish. There is a constant revolving of goodies on the table. Those who arrive early eat early, then eat later, then eat later as new foods replace early taste treats.

Everyone who wants or needs a chair brings his/her own. There is some liquor, but no one ever seems to get drunk. This year Deb, once again, had a burner going heating hot cider. There was spiced rum for those who wanted it “leaded.” The bottle was not gone at the end of the evening, although the hot cider was.

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Tim's drums

Several guests are musicians. Flutes, penny whistles, guitars, (sometimes) Rick’s bass, borans, and various other small instruments abound. Singing of traditional Christmas songs for anyone who wants to join in. Tim (snare drum), Jane (fife), John (fife) and others who make up the 95th fife and drum group come bearing their instruments and play continuously.

Those of us who are veterans of this celebration know that the more noise, the better. Whistles. Air Horns. Cow Bells (this is my contribution). This year they abounded. Yelling and Hooting. Whatever can make noise—the louder, the better. And, of course, Ray and his half–scale Civil War cannon! BOOOOM! BANG! BOOOOOOOOOOOM! with many of his ROTC cadets ready to listen to his command to let it go bang.

Normally, as each boat goes by with their beautiful decorations, the crowd gets nosier. One year as Ray shot the cannon (black powder, but no ball or shell) one of the participants on the boat going by actually ducked (probably this has happened more than once). Ray shoots as many rounds as he can get out of his cannon. He even shoots at the Sheriff’s boats (try that one in Massachusetts!). This year, however, not too many shots.

Ray's cannon scared 'em away

There is a dinner paddle-wheeler that passes the dock each year. Usually, they pass as the other boats are going by and drop anchor in front of Rick’s, as there is already a lot of noise. This is one of those huge paddle boats that one sees at places like the Mississippi River. Because of a forecast of bad weather, we think, last year, the party boat did not show. This year, since the parade was not passing at the time the dinner boat went, Ray let a cannon shot fire as the boat passed us. Lynne (who cannot always attend because of work was able to make it this year) said those $9.00 cocktails were probably dumped and sitting in many-a-person’s lap. This year, instead of stopping, they started going faster.

Most years there are thirty or forty boats—some commercial, some privately owned. I think, that although there are many parties happening in the neighborhood, ours is the loudest; and, no doubt the most fun.

Five Gold-en Rings

Usually, after the last boat re-passes us, the traditional aerobic “Twelve Days of Christmas” is rendered. This year, since we did not see the boats, we started the song about 8:30. Got through the entire song and still no boats. All are invited into the “circle” to enjoy this bit of crazy fun. There are always some who do not want to look like fools and stand off in the corner, but it is their loss. Thirty or forty people singing (mostly off key) and jumping and flailing to the song is something to behold. The early part of the song is fairly easy, but when we get into the higher numbers, not everyone is doing the same thing. Some are doing the twelve drummers drumming while others have gotten down to lords a-leaping. A beautiful mish-mosh of great fun and laughter. Kids. Adults. Slim and trim folks. Some of us who are more portly. Usually, by the time we finish our sides hurt from the laughter generated.

The party tends to break up around nine o’clock or so. No one ever goes away unhappy. Rick is a most unlikely party host. But, in the long haul, his style is great!

We left around nine o’clock. No boats. Someone mentioned that she had heard they had problems with the bridges. How one every heard that, I’ll never know. We left around nine as we had a long ride home. Many others had already left. The party was great—with or without the boats. Wonder if they ever did show up. Thanks Rick, Deb and all who brought food.