The 2nd annual IBC and Marina Casa de Campo Boat Parade – glowing and glorious!

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The 2nd annual Christmas Boat Parade presented by the IBC Shipyard and the Marina Casa de Campo was a glowing glorious success this past Friday December the 21st, 2012.  From 5pm in the afternoon Casa de Campo villa owners, residents and visitors – among them many boat owners, gathered at the end of the Paseo del Mar in the lounge/terrace area outside the “Joy Lounge” (formerly the Victory Club), where they mingled with friends and enjoyed an exquisite sunset until the show started at approximately 7pm. Representing the Marina Casa de Campo was Josie Gonzalvo, Director of the Marina Casa de Campo, Gianfranco Fini, Commodore of the Casa de Campo Yacht Club and architect of the Marina Casa de Campo, Piero Giacosa, President of the Marina Casa de Campo and Vilma Nuñez, Marketing Manager, whilst representing the IBC Shipyard, the largest shipyard in the Caribbean was Alessandro Caslini who commented “this Christmas Parade was  a display of the talent and initiative the marina casa decamp has, our of which we as a shipyard, provider of services are proud of.” Also in attendance at this magical event was a group of children from the Hogar del Niño daycare and education center in La Romana – who melted the hearts of everyone present with the most adorable rendition of Christmas songs!

The cute children of the Hogar del Niño

Finally the much anticipated boat parade began! 5 glowing and glorious boats paraded past the end of the Paseo del Mar – to the cheers and whoops of the onlookers who were treated to quite a show from the boats – who, not content to just sail by – “performed” by spinning around in the water and in the case of the winners “Rimar” setting off giant lanterns which floated up and away into the night sky.

“I wanted to take part in the event because I’m good friends with Giacosa, Fini, Josie from the Marina and especially with Mauro Caslini and Fernando Flaquer of Azimut. I really enjoyed the fun ambience and the “togetherness” between everyone who took part. Myself and my boat crew had a great time. We hope that this event will continue to grow – with many more boats and families taking part. We will continue to take part – we really want the Casa de Campo Yacht Club and Marina Casa de Campo to get more lively – these types of events really bring life!”

— Armando Houellemont, Casa de Campo villa owner and owner of the boat “Captiva” (pictured below)

IBC Shipyard & Marina Casa de Campo Christmas Boat Parade – The Winners 1st Place: Rimar Prize: RD$50,000 2nd Place: Tanita Prize: RD$20,000 A special “bonus” prize was also awarded to the dock handlers of the Marina Casa de Campo, who in their rather small boat  proved it was not size, but effort and lots of spakrling lights that really made all the difference!

The following photos were taken during the Christmas Boat Parade hosted by IBC Shipyard and the Marina Casa de Campo on Friday December 21st 2012: 

MANY more fun events still to come! Check out www.todo.fm for the complete schedule of upcoming activity and events!