We do it to give something back to the community. By doing this we get more back than we give. The excitement of the children and others watching the parade gives us such great joy.

1. KNOW YOUR BOAT
   Capacity of generator for lights or rent a generator. Reserve in advance.

2. KEEP IT SIMPLE. BOTH SIDES OF THE BOAT MUST BE THE SAME. FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE PARADE COMMITTEE.

3. SELECT A THEME
   Cartoons, anything with a Christmas theme, movies, children's books, etc.

4. MAKE A PATTERN
   I get brown wrapping paper and make patterns. You can fold it in half and have an even patter.

5. We take these patterns to: ADVANCE BEAD BOARD styrofoam insulation. Custom chapes & sizes). 156-B Progress Circle, Oakwood Businedss Park, Venice, FL 34292. 941-493-8420

6. Decorate and put your lights on one side of each figure. Make sure one of each figure's faces port side and the matching figure faces starboard. (Mirror decorations)

7. Decorate as desired. DO NOT USE SPRAY PAINT on foam. It will dissolve. Use acrylic paint.

8. Punch holes for placing lights. You will have to figure out the placement of the lights...A 50 light string or 100 light string. Space them so you have enough to go around the figure as desired. You can always tie up the extra in the back... just make sure you are not short.
   I use a phillips screw driver to punch the holes in the foam. (Use an old cutting board so you don't scratch the area where you are working. We live in a condo, no garage or laundry to do this. We do all our preparation in our living room. Have plenty of extra sweeper bags handy to pick up all the foam that scatters.)

9. TEST LIGHTS BEFORE YOU START, EVEN IF THEY ARE NEW. TEST AGAIN WHEN HALF OF THE STRING IS PUT ON, THEN TEST AGAIN.

10. ATTACHING THE FIGURES AND LIGHTS TO THE BOAT
    You can use electrical type plastic tie wraps to attach both the lights and the figures. (We do it easier and it seems to work for our boat. We use plant ties that come in rolls. It cuts the exact length you need and you don't have to cut it, just unwrap, when you want to add or move the lights. For attaching the figures I just buy a roll of white gift wrap yarn [the fat kin, not knitting yarn]. I punch two holes in the figure where I want to attach it to the boat railing and tie it on. Tie top two corners and anywhere else it matches a rail to secure it. Be careful so the wind doesn't get behind it and blow it off.

HAVE A GOOD CAPTAIN AND FIRST MATE WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE MOST FUN... OR GET YOUR FRIENDS TO HELP. YOU WILL FIND WHAT GOOD FRIENDS THEY ARE. IF WE DIDN'T HAVE FUN, WE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THIS FOR 10 YEARS.