GILL — As the sky grew dark over Barton Cove, nearly a dozen boats circled on the water, covered in Christmas lights of dazzling colors, blow-up Santas and snowmen, Christmas trees and holiday wreaths.
The 15th annual Christmas in July event organized by the Franklin County Boat Club was held Saturday with festivities starting at 12:30 p.m. and culminating with a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Hundreds of spectators young and old lined the shores of the Connecticut River, sitting in lawn chairs or on blankets on the ground to watch the fireworks and 8:45 p.m. boat parade, two of the main events.
Many of the boats, though they featured Christmas decorations, were adorned with red, white and blue lights, as if to celebrate the recently passed Independence Day and the upcoming Christmas all at once. The lights glistened off the shimmering river below, finishing just as rain began to sprinkle.
Prizes were awarded to boat parade participants for best boat over 20 feet, best boat under 20 feet and best effort.
Shortly after, the fireworks began, lighting up the faces of spectators below and bursting in the air, some with a fizzle and others with a bang that rumbled like thunder around the cove. Children screeched excitedly, and the crowd erupted into applause and whistling when the grand finale finished at 9:45 p.m.
Other events included lunch at 12:30 p.m., the arrival of Santa at 5 p.m., a rib and chicken dinner at 6 p.m., games and kids activities throughout the afternoon, according to the Franklin County Boat Club’s Facebook page. From 7 to 8:30 p.m., the rock ‘n’ roll cover band Backtrack circled the cove on a pontoon boat, sometimes playing rock ‘n’ roll versions of holiday songs like “Joy to the World.”