Beautiful Day For A Boat Parade

The 2011 Chasco Fiesta Boat Parade started a little late on Saturday, April 2, but it still delivered a great time to the onlookers gathered at the Pithlachascotee River.

“There’s nothing like being on the water,” said Lou Rita, who enjoyed the parade and the “beautiful weather."

People waited patiently for the parade of celebrities, local community leaders and businesses from throughout the area to start Saturday afternoon, lining up in rows on the Main Street Bridge and the river banks.

Among some of the boats on display were vessels sponsored by Hooters, Gulf Harbors Yacht Club, TowBoat US, Mears Plumbing, Tampa Bay Ambassadors and Advanced Restoration.

Shelton Quarles, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker, was the first mate on the Tampa Bay Ambassadors boat float. Quarles was recognized and well received by the community after announcing his part in the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl victory.

Homeowners on the river celebrated outside with big parties while the public enjoyed food, drinks. Vendors sold gator tails, burgers, and hotdogs. The proceeds will be donated to charities.

Carol Olds, a Chasco Boat Parade attendee since 1974, says her favorite part of the parade is the fact that money from the sales goes to good causes.

“I’m one for supporting the community, local charities. That is my number one. I don’t care how much the price of ice cream is. I’ll pay it because the proceeds go to charity,” said Olds, who has been a realtor for Prudential Tropical Realty for 26 years now.

Olds says she’s usually on one of the boats in the parade, but she decided to watch from afar with a cocktail in hand this year.

Browse our gallery of photos from the boat parade, and send your own to Alex.Tiegen@patch.com.