BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (WLOX) – Across America, the Fourth of July is full of traditions… but on the Jourdan River, the celebration sets sail in its own special way.
“It’s just a really, really great community event,” said Kyle Craig, President of the Garden Isle Community Association.
The Garden Isle Community Association’s 2025 Fourth of July Boat Parade has been cruising along for over 40 years, bringing neighbors together to celebrate freedom in their own unique way. The celebration floats through the canals with decorated boats, patriotic music, and plenty of smiles.
“It encapsulates our community,” Craig said. “We decorate our houses to be seen from the water instead of the street, so why would we have a parade for the street when our houses are made for the water? We live in the canals – it’s really how we live out here.”
Boats compete for top honors in three categories: most creative, most enthusiastic, and most patriotic. Winners don’t walk away with typical trophies – they get hand-carved and decorated boat paddles, a true badge of honor in this tight-knit neighborhood.
“So many houses in this community have those paddles on their walls,” Craig said.
For participants, the real reward is coming together.
“That’s always the hope for, you know, but we are all winners,” said Dana Derbes, who rode in the parade’s Elvis-themed boat. “We come into this because we just enjoy being together.”
“This is freedom, this is why we are here,” Derbes added. “Our men fought for us and we get this freedom and the joy of having this parade every year because of their services – and seeing people smile because of that.”
Kids watching along the riverbanks agree.
“It’s fun for the kids and all the kids like the boats going around. They sing, they have fun,” said Nick, a young spectator.
Each year, two kids are crowned king and queen of the parade. Congratulations to Jax and Annabelle.
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