If you’ve left the house over the past few weeks, you’ll have noticed a change taking root all around you. Tinsel and fake snow, decorations and yule tidings abound as we get ever closer to the magical time of the year known as Christmas. It’s not just the malls and houses and shops though, many are getting stuck into decorating their various watercraft in preparation for one very special event – The Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade! Every year those that take part deck out their yachts, dinghies, and every other kind of floating craft imaginable in lights, tinsel, and everything ‘Christmas-y’ you could think of in the name of charity. It’s a true community event, with locals and tourists alike staking out coastal viewpoints along the watery route to watch as each entry parades past in an effort to win first place and a grand prize of the ‘Winner’s Trophy’, a $100 Wharf Tavern voucher, a set of ‘Simply Too Good To Be True’ cookbooks, and a bottle of red as the cherry on top of their year-long bragging rights. The event is a charity event, and everywhere the proceeds from the entries, donations from sponsors, and the raffle ticket sales go to a charity of choice, and this year it’s the ‘STEPS’ charity organisation.

The STEPS charity works with the disabled to help build a happier, brighter, more self-reliant future. They also endeavour to increase awareness, and promote equality as well as providing opportunities for improved quality of life for their clients. – “STEPS humble beginnings were sparked way back in 1989 when a group of parents, all of whom had a child with a disability, felt there wasn’t enough support in place to allow their children to achieve true independence. So they did something about it! United in their passion STEPS was established, and they’re still working to empower individuals and create a positive impact in our communities.” – In April the construction of a purpose-designed education facility was designed to help the charity towards their goals, and support for the charity will go towards maintaining the facility and its efforts, as well as creating more opportunities such as this for more disabled peoples.

So, thanks to The Wharf – Mooloolaba, the Sunshine Coast Council, Workplace Central, and of course the organisational efforts of the Mooloolaba Yacht Club, the Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade will again be returning to our waters to continue its fantastic work in raising money for the most deserving of charities. Beginning at 7pm this December 14, it’s best to get in early to reserve your spot as real estate dries up quick, with the night’s events coming to a close at 9pm that evening.

For more information on entering the parade yourself, the event itself, or any other information pertaining to the event, check out their website here. It’s bound to be yet another fantastic night for a great cause.