Boat owners on both sides of the border from all around Passamaquoddy Bay are being asked to participate in the 17th Annual Eastport Festival of Lights Boat Parade on December 15.

"Every Christmas Season the Eastport Festival of Lights really gets people jazzed with Christmas Spirit," says festival founder Val Maggiani. "A highlight of the festival is the annual boat parade that takes place with all types of boats cruising around the Harbor as well as some tied-up in the inner basin. It is one of the most cheerful and best ways to get the Christmas feeling going. Its free for everyone's viewing pleasure, and a great place to bring your family and friends."

Maggiani and fellow Festival of Lights co-chair Linda Saleroli are asking all boat owners on both sides of the border to participate. The parade has hosted boats of all sizes in the past... everything from kayaks and rowing dinghies to lobster boats, trawlers and the United States Coast Guard. "It would be great to see some competition within boating groups," says Maggiani. "The US Coast Guard could challenge the Canadian Coast Guard or RCMP, Lubec fishermen could challenge Eastport, and Campobello could challenge Deer Island... There are great cash prizes for the winners."

"We are also looking for island wide participation in the festival's home and business decorating competition," says Linda Saleroli. "Eastport is aglow during the holidays with light displays both tasteful and, well, let's just say "over the top... but always magical for kids of all ages. People come from all over Maine and New Brunswick to see the homes of our island community when they are draped with thousands of lights at Christmas We will be judging homes and businesses for both electrical and non-electrical displays. The judging will take place between December 5th and 12th, so we ask that all participants have their decorations and / or lights up and ready by the 5th."

The Festival of Lights kicks off with the giant puppet parade. Participants will be children dressed as elves, pets dressed in holiday attire, decorated cars and trucks, fire trucks, police cars and Mr. & Mrs. Santa Clause. Prizes will also be given to the best elves, trucks, cars and pets.

The parade musters at City Hall at 5:00 PM and begins at 5:30PM down Boynton Street past The Eastport Nursing Home, across Middle Street to Key Street, and down to Water Street where in will wind down to the Fishermen's Statue on the waterfront. At the end of the parade Santa and his wife will light the Eastport Christmas Tree.

Following the tree lighting Mr. and Mrs. Clause will take all of the little children to the library for hot cocoa, cookies and an opportunity to chat with Santa.

The blessing of the fleet will also take place at the end of the parade, followed by the Boat Parade on the Harbor. Throughout the evening the historic Eastport waterfront will be filled with carolers, musicians, burn barrels where festival committee members will be preparing smores and the local shops, restaurants and galleries will be open for shopping and holiday cheer with special Festival of Lights Discounts.

All of the winners for all of the festival events will be announced at The Rose Garden Cafe on Dana Street following the Boat Parade. People are encouraged to bring an unwrapped new gift for a boy or girl to be place under the Rose Garden Christmas Tree to be donated to a deserving child through the local food pantry.

To register for the Boat Parade, Giant Puppet Parade (elves, cars, trucks, pets) and the home and business decorating competition, please call Linda Saleroli before December 5 at 207-853-9598