The 2nd annual “Ahoy on the Ohio” lighted boat parade promises excitement for both boaters and landlubbers at Friday After 5 on July 28th. After all, last year’s contestants went all out.
“We had more than thirty boats enter our first event in 2016,” said producer Kela Hall. “The winner was the S.S. Minnow with Captain Sandra Jones and included all of the characters in Gilligan’s Island TV show. We asked the crowd who their favorite character was on the boat and, as you can imagine, Ginger and Mary Ann tied for first.”
There is no entry fee or registration cost. Interested boaters just need a good idea and then register online or call Kela Hall at 270.314.5467.
“We’ll have cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place based on the judges’ decision,” explains Friday After 5 Executive Director, Teresa Thomas. “The big prize is, of course, the coveted “Ahoy on the Ohio” Grand Prize Trophy.”
Last year’s boaters created themes that included:
- “Christmas in July”
- “Tropical Paradise”
- “Mardi Gras on the River”
- “Floating Tiki Hut”
- “Bikini-Wearing-Lady Pirates of the Caribbean”
“It’s a lot of fun for boaters and a chance for them to show off their pride and joy while having a floating party with their boating friends. And they are putting on a free show for everyone attending Friday After 5”, continues Hall.
Registered boaters will line-up near the Owensboro Convention Center about 7:30pm and then Ralph Nave will lead the procession in his All-American Star-Spangled-Houseboat up river towards the RiverPark Center going under the bridge then back toward the Owensboro Convention Center.
“We’ve already had more than a dozen boaters register so far this year,” explains Hall. “We hope to have as many boaters from out of town as local this year. After seeing the pictures and video of the event last year online, we had many out of town boaters ask about this year’s event.”
“We’ll also have members of the Kentucky Drag Boat Association who will put on a thrilling display of their fastest boats prior to the boat parade.” And the Kroger Street Fair will feature several new and specialty boats on Veterans’ Blvd.
“Hall Marine has been in business for more than 25 years,” states Hall, “and when Friday After 5 contacted us it was a natural addition because so many boaters already attend Friday After 5 on the water that creating a colorful, fun lighted boat parade sounded like a great idea so we got on board.”
