- April 7, 2025
Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.
Decorated boats gather in the Cimmaron Basin before the start of the boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Mayor Milissa Holland waves to parade watchers. Photo by Paige Wilson
One of 40 lit up boats passes by the lead Grand Marshal boat during the loop back to the Cimmaron Basin. Photo by Paige Wilson
2017 Palm Coast Holiday Boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Ormond Beach residents John and Vicki Zetrouer and Palm Coast resident Linda Humphrey sit aboard the Grand Marshal boat. Photo by Paige Wilson
Palm Coast residents watch the boat parade on a lit dock. Photo by Paige Wilson
2017 Palm Coast Holiday Boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Mayor Milissa Holland and Parade Captain Robert Ulis aboard the Grand Marshal boat. Photo by Paige Wilson
2017 Palm Coast Holiday Boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Guests on the Grand Marshal boat get ready to sail away. Photo by Paige Wilson
2017 Palm Coast Holiday Boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
2017 Palm Coast Holiday Boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
2017 Palm Coast Holiday Boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Holiday Boat Parade Captain Robert Ulis and Event Coordinator Sarah Ulis stand with Mayor Milissa Holland, the parade's Grand Marshal. Photo by Paige Wilson
2017 Palm Coast Holiday Boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Decorated boats gather in the Cimmaron Basin before the start of the boat parade. Photo by Paige Wilson
Robert Ulis spent about seven hours stringing 5,000 lights on the Grand Marshal boat for the 35th-annual Palm Coast Holiday Boat Parade.
He said he loves hearing enthusiastic households on the shores of the Intracoastal Waterway as they watch and cheer for the lit boats.
"You can't see them, but they're there," he said. "Blow the horn, they go nuts. It's a great feeling. A real trip."
Robert is the captain of the parade, while his wife, Sarah Ulis, is the event coordinator who organized 40 decorated boats to participate in the Palm Coast Yacht Club's parade on Saturday, Dec. 16. This broke the record set last year with 30 official boats and four unofficial boats.
"It's so gratifying to have worked on it and to see these people come together and make it," Sarah said.
Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland served as the Grand Marshal of the parade, as she declared Dec. 16 Palm Coast Yacht Club Holiday Boat Parade Day.
Holland said the parade showcases the city's uniqueness and community spirit.
"Palm Coast is built around quality of life," she said.
Sarah said two people from Daytona Beach participated in the parade this year, and she's hoping more boat owners and lovers in the surrounding cities will join the parade in Palm Coast next year.
Your free article limit has been reached this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited digital access to our award-winning local news.