When it comes to the intricacies of holiday boat parade planning, December is not far behind Fourth of July. Winterfest boat entry applications are already available online. One early bird even signed up in March, according to parade organizers.

In June, a survey was emailed to past participants in an effort to ramp up enthusiasm and allay concerns of seasons past. Questions focus on rating the ease, safety and enjoyment of Fort Lauderdale’s iconic holiday event.

“We’ve listened to a couple of voices but what we’re aiming to do in the survey is to listen to the masses,” said Kathy Keleher, boat parade organizer. “We want to have more of an idea of how to make the parade a better experience for them.”

She especially wants to hear directly from boaters who may have felt left out in the past.

Keleher’s most nagging question: Why do so many spectator boats go to the bother of decorating only to dock on the sidelines instead of being in the lineup?

“Why are you having fun and not being in the parade? Do you not realize how easy it is to enter? Why are you on the sidelines?” she hypothetically waxed.

In 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard estimated that about 2,000 decorated boats remained on the sidelines around Lake Santa Barbara in Pompano Beach and the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Entries have leaned more toward advertising a personal cause “as opposed to a group of friends getting together decorating, just having a good time,” Keleher said. “We do want to reach out to people who just do it for a love of the holiday.”

While signage that promotes a cause is still permitted, Keleher wants to avoid underwhelming boats sporting a mere merry-less string of lights — which often happens when people run out of time to decorate — yet another reason to enter early and plan ahead.

This year’s event takes place Saturday Dec. 14 with a theme that should inspire much bling: “Lights, Camera, Action ... Movies on Parade.”

How will that apply to boats? That’s where imagination comes in. Entry costs are $35 per private boat.

A boater happy hour takes place 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 17 at Timpano’s restaurant where concerns and questions can be hashed over. Future events are also scheduled for August and September.

Registering early doesn’t guarantee a spot in the front of the procession unless you’re competing with similar sized craft. Otherwise, safety matters dictate logistics.

But early registration will gain you the chance to enter a raffle to win tickets to Winterfest events.

“We want boaters to enjoy and get as much out of being in the parade as much as the spectators are enjoying them,” she said. For more information, go https://winterfestparade.com/events/the-seminole-hard-rock-winterfest-bo....