Santa Claus cruises into Carrabelle

Carrabelle’s Holiday on the Harbor remains a vibrant coastal Christmas tradition.

Many people have complained they don’t feel the Christmas spirit this year. Wet weather and economic woes may have discouraged the throngs of out of town guests that have packed Carrabelle on Holiday on the Harbor in the past, but this year, as always, the eastern end of the county celebrated our maritime heritage with glitter and style.

Many shops stayed open late to accommodate revelers. The Carrabelle History Museum opened from 4 until 10 p.m. and Director Tamara Allen said she had about 200 visitors.

There were loads of wonderful food, with the city supplying a free cookout with sausages, hamburgers and hot dogs.

Many local churches and several entrepreneurs were on hand with baked goods, coffee, hot cider and gumbo.

This year, Jack Ricketts, a newcomer to the Carrabelle and shipboard engineer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, served his specialty, Uncle Jack’s A** Kicking Chili, free of charge to parade watchers at the Riverside Pavilion.

“I want to get to know my new neighbors,” he said.

Ricketts bought his Carrabelle home in February but said he travels extensively for his work. He just returned from Hawaii and came to the festival to join in community activities.

The chili was available a la carte or heaped on a hot dog. “Not only did he have chili and hot dogs, the hot dogs were great,” said Braeden Cruson whose grandparents are Carrabelle residents.

The 21 boats in this year’s parade ranged from a 72” yacht belonging to Wally Whitley to Tom Herzog’s kayak, which sported a lighted tree that seemed to dance as he paddled the parade route.

There were oohs and aahs as the brightly lit vessels plied their way amidst tendrils of fog.

Grand Marshall for the Boat Parade was the Tim Saunders Family with their boat “Captiva.”

For the 17th consecutive year, Captain Russell Cohoon with Towboat US coordinated the boats on the water and supervised the parade.

Sheila Hauser and Suzanne Zuckerman, of the Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce, organized the boat competition and the stunning fireworks display that capped off the evening.

The Chamber offered special thanks St. James Health and Rehabilitation Center and the City of Carrabelle for sponsoring this year’s fireworks display.

 “I thought we had a good event,” said Steve Allen, head of Carrabelle’s Special Events Committee. “People turned out in spite of the weather and all of the boaters enjoyed it.”

At the end of the evening, contestants in the boat decorating competition met at Harry’s Bar to receive their trophies and share the fellowship this true hometown festival generates each year.

“We worked very hard and it turned out much better than we expected,” said Hauser.