Santa hits the water during the annual Tomoka River Christmas Parade

A festive red pirate ship took first place in the fourth-annual parade held on the Tomoka River.

By Emily Blackwood
| 8:27 a.m. December 12, 2016

Mia Marandino, 4 and half, really loved her boat' s Christmas tree (Photos by Emily Blackwood).

Over 150 toys were collected for Toys for Tots (Courtesy photo).

Chris Apicella, Kurt Heiret, Tim Cone, Rick Bosang, and Chris Webber

Sandra Davis' "Rudolph the Dolphin" Christmas boat

Santa was the finale of the parade.

Nearly 40 boats were in the parade.

Santa was the finale of the parade.

Sandra Davis and Santa

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Residents spotted an unusual sight on the Tomoka River Friday night: a big, blue dolphin with what appeared to be a blinking red nose. While some speculated that it might be a dolphin-reindeer hybrid, it later turned out to be Sandra Davis' boat sailing along in the Tomoka River Christmas Parade.

Held Dec. 9 on the Tomoka River, almost 40 people decorated their boats with colorful lights, Santa inflatables, and even small Christmas trees to honor the city's newest tradition — and win first prize, a $150 gift card to J Discount Beverage.

A red pirate ship took the coveted treasure, but a bigger gift was given that evening at the awards ceremony at River Grille. Over 150 toys were donated to Toys for Tots, a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas.