MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. – Merritt Island’s Christmas boat parade will take place in 2025.
With no official sponsors this year, officials told News 6 the parade will be organized in a grassroots style.
The update comes after last year’s sponsor, Blue Marlin Real Estate, posted to social media on Saturday, saying that the parade was canceled due to ongoing legal and safety concerns.
[WATCH: Driver in Merritt Island Christmas boat parade crash sentenced]
Last year’s event was marred by a crash on Sykes Creek that injured three people and drew widespread attention.
The driver involved in the crash, Cameron Michaels, 26, was sentenced to 60 days in jail and one year of probation after pleading no contest to reckless operation of a vessel and culpable negligence inflicting injury.
Marty Casleton has lived on Sykes Creek for nearly 50 years.
“It’s nice to have the parade continue,” the resident told Merritt Island Community Correspondent James Sparvero. “Sponsors have been going on for about eight or nine years. It’s not that big of a deal. The local community will pull together, and get together, and have the boat parade.”
[WATCH: 3 hospitalized after Christmas boat parade vessels collide in Merritt Island, officials say]
The Christmas boat parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at 5:45 p.m. Boats will gather near the Ulumay Bridge on Sykes Creek around 5 p.m. to line up for the parade.
“It’s unfortunate for one person to have that effect on the parade, but we’ll continue to have the parade,” Casleton said.
When asked if he’d like to see a larger law enforcement presence this year to discourage reckless boating, the resident said it would be nice, but he doesn’t expect another incident like last year.
“Hopefully, it’s a one-and-done,” Casleton said.