Huntington Cancels 2023 Holiday Boat Parade

By Heather Crosley

The Grinch is here in Huntington again.

The much-loved Holiday Boat Parade was canceled by the Town after they rescheduled it from Thanksgiving weekend to October 14th - and then a windy and rainy weekend caused a wash-out.

According to a joint statement from the Greater Huntington Boating Council and the Huntington Harbor Master, the cancellation was due to an inclement weather forecast, including a Gale Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

High winds and a small craft advisory covering the Long Island Sound made for a messy weekend.

This year, the parade was set to kick off in the Bay, at the Huntington Lighthouse, travel around through the harbor, and then end back at the Lighthouse.

The traditional late-November parade route was shorter - entirely within the shelter of the Harbor - but was extended post-COVID – to outside of Huntington Harbor, due to the many boats still at moorings in the Harbor. That makes for a more exposed parade route – and more danger to small craft from inclement weather.

The Boat Parade is a beloved Huntington holiday event, with dozens of boats dressed in Christmas lights – and even a nautical appearance by Santa Claus and some of his Reindeer.

Each year, the parade features festively decorated vessels parading through Huntington Harbor and a friendly competition among participants, where it seems the spectators are the real winners every year.

The parade draws crowds of thousands of people to the areas along Shore Road and New York Avenue - all gathered to view the lights and sounds of the decked-out boats.

This year’s parade was supported the Huntington Harbor Masters, the Huntington Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Huntington Boating Council, and others.