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Just as the Star of Bethlehem beckoned to the wise men from the East, this new solar-powered light at the FM 521 bridge boat ramp will show entrants the way to launch their brightly-lit boats in the annual FOR Christmas boat parade “More the Merry”, Sat Dec 10th.

 

Boats gather at 5:30 pm just above the FM 521 bridge and hold there for the 6:00 pm start that finishes around 8:00 pm at the FM 2611 Churchill bridge. No entry fee or registration is required. The FOR Community Center, 20450 CR 510-B opens at 5:00 pm for parade watchers. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available to enjoy.

 

Decorate your boat with colorful lights and holiday decorations and fill with family and friends for a fun night on the San Bernard. Thanks to Brazoria County Parks Department for the guiding light.

 

 

 

It’s a friendly neighborhood holiday decorating competition starting December 1st - 25th. Join in and make your neighborhood the brightest and most festive on the river. No registration or entry fee is needed and no limit to number of decorated homes in each neighborhood. Plus, It’s a great way to meet your neighbors this holiday season!

 

Starting at the south end of the river and heading north, the four neighborhoods are:

 

Santa helpers will be traveling the San Bernard with the task of finding and photographing the best waterfront homes decorated with sparkling lighted holiday decor. The photos will be featured on the FOR website during the holiday season. Credit will be given to their neighborhood location. Judging of the residence will be done by boat on the river-front side only. 

 

When a photo of your decorated home appears on the FOR website, it entitles you and your decorating helper to a free breakfast at the FOR “Breakfast on the Bernard”, Dido’s Restaurant. The breakfast buffet is served the first Saturday of every month all year long from 8:30 - 9:30 am. The offer is good for a one-time breakfast starting Sat Dec 3rd continuing anytime during 2023. Just show up and say “my decorated house was on the website”.

 

 

Decorate your boat with holiday lights/decorations and participate in the 36th annual Friends of the River Christmas Boat Parade. This year the “More the Merry” lighted parade happens on Saturday, Dec 10th. No entry fee and no registration required –– just fill your decorated boat with family and friends and enjoy the fun!

 

Starting at 6:00 pm, holiday decorated boats of all sizes travel downriver from the FM 521 bridge to the FM 2611 Churchill Bridge. Leading the parade is the Yellowstone Paddlewheeler with the Gulf Coast Rescue Squad in front with its lights flashing and siren blaring.

 

The FOR Community Center, 20450 CR 510-B, a mile south of the FM 521 bridge, opens at 5:00 pm for public viewing of the parade. Christmas cookies and hot chocolate will be available to enjoy during the parade. Additional public viewing areas are located at the FM 521 boat ramp, FM 2611 boat ramp and Dido’s Restaurant.