Jacksonville Light Boat Parade delayed due to train

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Light Boat Parade took over downtown, lighting up the St. Johns River with some holiday cheer.

However, there was a slight delay at the beginning because of a train, which also pushed back fireworks over 30 minutes.

People around the Riverfront Plaza told Action News Jax the wait wasn’t ideal, but said they still had a great time.

“This is the best time of the year and this is our favorite fireworks, even better than 4th of July,” Roxanne Pilkinton said.

With nearly 60 Christmas-themed boats and fireworks, the event provides a good time for both visitors and the businesses involved in 904 Pop Up, like Carmen’s On The Run Styling.

“It gives you the opportunity to get a following, because once people start coming to pop-ups they continue to come and they look for you,” spokesperson for Carmen’s On The Run Styling, Nicole Smith said.

The parade and pop-up also fell on Small Business Saturday and Smith says it’s crucial to support them.

“We are the lifeblood of the city I would say,” Smith said.

The families seeing it for the first time told Action News Jax they’ll be coming back.

“This is probably one of the best things I’ve done downtown next to the fair,” Joshua Abner said.

The tradition has been ongoing for over 30 years.

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