For Boaters, By Boaters

FINAL UPDATE - 10 December 2025

Bottom Line Up Front:  I’m writing to inform everyone that despite the best efforts of a highly motivated group of residents and business owners; there will be no official Grand Canal Christmas Boat Parade on the evening of 20 December 2025.

When we made the announcement that our organization, Banana River Sail & Power Squadron, would be closing its doors, we were fortunate to have a small team step forward.  They were fully invested in seeing this tradition continue and had the means and experience to make it happen.  Within a couple days of hearing from them, we met to see how serious and capable they were, and I was very impressed.  They had big plans, pre-existing contacts, and already consulted with their insurance agents to ensure everything was good to go.  They had significant experience with setting up and running large events and were well positioned to take the charge.

I’m sure everyone has seen the fallout from last year’s incident up in Merritt Island.  Unfortunately, so have the insurance companies.  After checking and re-checking that everything was still good to go, the team was working to dot their I’s and cross their T’s.  As they were finalizing a website and we were drafting our final message, the team got word that their insurance provider would not issue the final paperwork.  They have been working feverishly to find a remedy for the last couple of weeks, but the lawsuits associated with the Merritt Island incident now have everyone’s attention.  I am confident in saying that if there was a way, the official parade would continue, but that sadly isn’t the case.

I would like to thank those who stepped forward for all their hard work and dedication! 

I am hopeful that, just as how this parade started originally, a grassroots effort of our neighbors will be able to revive the Grand Canal Christmas Boat Parade.

Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday, and Fantastic New Year!

Safe Boating!

Sincerely,

Jim Merker

Commander

UPDATE! - 8 NOVEMBER 2025 

We are six weeks out from this year’s Grand Canal Christmas Boat Parade.  As was mentioned in the email below, the America’s Boating Club – South Brevard (Banana River Sail & Power Squadron) will be ceasing operations as of 1 December.  Fortunately, a joint group of residents and a local business have reached out to take over the lead for the 20 December 2025 parade and beyond.  They are working to ensure everything is in order on their end and are creating a site where parade updates will be available.  As soon as everything is ready, we will send out one more update with all of the key details.

I am grateful for all the support everyone has shown and look forward to this great tradition continuing!

Sincerely,

Jim Merker

Commander

29 SEPTEMBER 2025 MESSAGE

Hard to believe we are within a few months of the next Grand Canal Christmas Boat Parade!

However, I write with some less cheerful news.  After nearly 70 years of teaching boating safety and coordinating this wonderful parade since shortly after its inception in the mid-1980s, the Banana River Sail & Power Squadron will be closing shop on 1 December 2025.  That means this will be the first year in decades that BRSPS/ABCSB will not be able to complete the coordination and execution of the boat parade that had been scheduled for 20 December 2025.  

Over the last couple of months, we have worked to find an organization that could take the baton.  However, as of today, a suitable replacement is yet to be identified.  Should a group step forward in the meantime, we are happy to provide them with the guidance we have used over the years and our best wishes.

It has been an honor and pleasure serving this boating community!  May you have fair winds and calms seas.

Sincerely,

Jim Merker

Commander

Video courtesy of Bob Moore:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWIyEQTlRCw&t=1085s1 

2024 Boat Parade Photos

 Grand Canal Parade Photos

2023 Boat Parade Photos

Grand Canal Parade Photos (Courtesy of George Campbell)

Grand Canal Parade Video (Courtesy of George Campbell)

Indian River Parade (Courtesy of Wally Jones and Ernst Hofmann)

2022 Christmas Boat Parade Album

Flare Up - June '22

Man Over Board - June '22

2021 Christmas Boat Parade

2020 Christmas Boat Parade