Ahoy on the Ohio
Kela Hall, parade producer, said there is no limit on the number of boats that can be in the parade.
“We’re hoping for 15 to 20,” she said. “We’ve had a few signed up so far. But people always seem to wait until the last minute. It helps us if they go ahead and sign up now.”
There is no charge to participate, Hall said.
Participants get “Ahoy on the Ohio” T-shirts, booty bags and a chance to win a water toy from Hall Marine, which sponsors the event with Kroger.
There are no size restrictions on the boats.
They can be anything from bass boats to houseboats, Hall said.
But they have to be lighted.
And they should have a theme.
The top three boats get prizes, Hall said, “and, there’s the coveted ‘Ahoy on the Ohio’ trophy to the grand champion.”
The 2016 winner was the “Gilligan’s Island” crew of Sandra Jones in the “SS Minnow.”
Last year’s winners were Larry and Cheryl Stinnett of Stinnett’s Auto Sales and their “Bubble-Babes-Bubblebath,” Hall said.
Other themes included “AC/DC,” “Superman,” “Whiskey River,” “Pirate’s Booty,” “5 O’Clock Somewhere” and “Duck Dynasty,” she said.
Registered boaters will line up near the Owensboro Convention Center about 7:30 p.m.
The parade will begin at 8 p.m.
Ralph Nave, grand marshal for the third year, will again lead the procession in his “All-American Star-Spangled Houseboat” with its big American flag past the RiverPark Center, under the