The 2018 Lighted Boat Parade, was one of the best!! The weather turned out to be beautiful for the Freeport to POC Toy Run, most of whom participated with locals in the parade. This year we had 28 boats enter, along with the Coast Guard leading down the ICW.

Thank you to Hooper’s Bar and Grill, who hosted the parade judges, serving some fabulous food.

This years Judges included Harry & Leah Bates, Larry & Rosemary Lopez, Gary Reese, Darla Parker and Michelle Davis. Winning plaques were awarded at Madden’s this year for the Best Overall decorated boat, Doug Mueller; Most Spirited, Lance Boomhower on the Mud Slinger 3: Most Unique, Eric Thomas Rogers on the Get Skinny Fishing; Best Commercial, Matagorda Bay Pilots on the Karankawa; Best Large Pleasure, Jason & Wendy Fry on the Just One More; Best Medium Pleasure, Peyton Martin on the Tritoon; Best Small Pleasure, Chris Wolf on the Zero Down; and the Distinguished Service Award, United States Coast Guard.

A HUGE thank you to Bill Tigrett, Belinda Tigrett, and Ronna Fishbeck for their extensive help in organizing and hosting this event. I learned this year, until you are behind the scenes…. You have no idea just how much work they actually do! Great Job Bill Tigrett and Team!!!!
Darla Parker, President, Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce