Calling all boat captains! Are you interested in participating in the 2025 Boat Parade of Lights? Please fill out the application below and our team will be in touch with you with further information! Onlookers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite boat with the most captivating decorations. There are three prizes for captains to win – Public Choice, Judges’ Choice, and Destination Panama City Choice!

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Route: Beginning at St. Andrews Bay Yacht Club, the parade will travel westward along the shoreline of beautiful St. Andrews Bay, floating past Historic Downtown Panama City, the Panama City Marina, West Beach Drive, the St. Andrews Marina, Historic St. Andrews, and ending at the Hathaway Bridge.
Line Up Time: 5 PM. All boats must be lined up at the St. Andrews Yacht Club no later than 5 PM. You will receive specific instructions at the Captain’s Meeting.
Captain’s Meetings: All boat captains will be required to attend one of the Captain’s Meetings at Destination Panama City at 101 W Beach Drive.

Boat Parade of Lights Captain Application 2025

Vessel Name(Required)

Vessel Introduction for Parade(Required)

Add a touch of magic to the festivities by crafting a brief 2–3 sentence introduction for your boat for our energetic emcee to share with the spectators at the Panama City Marina. Highlight your vessel’s theme, your spirited crew, or any unique features that make it shine. This is your chance to capture the audience’s imagination—and their votes!

Captain's Name(Required)

First Last

Phone Number(Required)

Email(Required)

Enter Email Confirm Email

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Business or Group Name

If Applicable

Boat Registration Number(Required)

VHF Call Sign

VHF Contact Name if different than Captain's listed above

First Last

VHF Contact Phone Number if different than Captain's listed above

MMS (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) Number

Vessel Category(Required)

Private (no signage) $25.00

Commercial (privately owned vessel w/commercial signage) $25.00

Charter $25.00

Non-Profit (privately owned vessel w/non-profit signage) fee waived for 501c3 (certificate of exemption required)

Government (non-political signage) fee waived

Vessel Class(Required)

Class A (less than 16 feet)

Class 1 (between 16 feet and 26 feet)

Class 2 (between 26 feet and 40 feet)

Class 3 (between 40 feet and 65 feet)

Bonus Class (over 65 feet)

Length(Required)

Beam (Width)(Required)

Height(Required)

Draft(Required)

Minimum Cruising Speed(Required)

Fuel Type(Required)

Diesel

Electric

Gasoline

Sail Only

Other

Docking Location(Required)

Boat Parade of Lights Participant Policies(Required)

I understand and agree.

Vessel participation availability is based on a first come, first served basis. No positions are held without pre-payment.

Destination Panama City has the right to cancel any Participant contract at any time for any reason with a full refund to the Applicant.

Vessel position is at the sole discretion of Destination Panama City. Once assigned, all vessel positions will be final.

Decorations:
The vessel must be decorated according to the designated holiday theme of the event. All decorations must align with a festive, family-friendly atmosphere that embodies the spirit of the season.

The vessel decorations must not include any political messages, slogans, or symbols, content that is offensive, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate for public display.

Participants are solely responsible for all costs associated with decorating and operating the vessel including but not limited to supplies, labor, and fuel costs, and Destination Panama City will not be providing financial assistance, supplies, or labor of any kind.

Compliance:
The vessel must comply with all safety regulations set forth by the event organizers and relevant authorities. Non-compliance with this agreement may result in the disqualification of the boat from the parade.

Hold Harmless and Indemnification:
The Applicant hereby agrees to INDEMNIFY, RELEASE, and HOLD HARMLESS Destination Panama City, the City of Panama City, and the Officers, Directors, Agents, Leagues, and Employees of these entities from and against any and all rights, actions, causes of action, suits, losses, damages, judgments, claims, claims of liabilities, cost and expenses of any kind as well as attorney’s fees and court costs at trial and on appeal, of whatsoever kind or nature to which these entities and individuals may be subjected to as a result of any death, personal injury or damage to property arising in any manner from my direct or indirect participation in the 2025 Boat Parade of Lights. The Applicant further agrees that this Hold Harmless Agreement shall apply in the event they are disabled, injured, or incur disease of a temporary or permanent nature while participating in, or die as a result of participating in, this activity, regardless of the cause including negligence of the above reference entities, their agents, servants, employees or independent contractors.

Participation Requirement(Required)

I understand and agree.

I agree to attend as a participant in the Boat Parade of Lights event on December 13, as well as to attend one of the Captain’s Meetings on either December 4 or December 11. Destination Panama City reserves the right to add additional meetings at their discretion to accommodate captains.

If after submitting this application you are unable to participate, you agree to notify Destination Panama City no later than 48 hours prior to the event.

Registration Fees(Required)

I agree to pay the registration fee or to provide the required documentation to have my fees waived.

The $25 non-refundable registration fee is required to participate in the 2025 Boat Parade of Lights.

This fee is waived for government agencies and 501c3 non-profit organizations with proof of non-profit certification.

Certificate of Insurance(Required)

Max. file size: 25 MB.

Proof of insurance must be submitted with the application. Certificate of Insurance must include full liability, property damage, and personal injury coverage on the participating vessel. Name on policy must match application. ALL APPLICANTS MUST provide proof of insurance to Destination Panama City before being considered for parade participation.

Photo of Vessel(Required)

Max. file size: 25 MB.

Please submit a photo of your vessel (not decorated) to assist with lining everyone up on the day of the parade.

2025 Boat Parade of Lights Captain Application

Boat Parade of Lights Captain Application 2025