Salty Santa Returns, Daytime Boat Parade Draws Families to Waterfront
The Salty Santa Boat Parade returned to the Eureka Waterfront today, with decorated vessels including the Madaket, small boats, sailboats and tugboats sailing a daytime route from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Supported by Zerlang & Zerlang Marine Services, the family friendly holiday event brought community celebration to the harbor and offered a low cost seasonal outing for residents.
Bright decorations and the call of boat horns marked the return of the Salty Santa Boat Parade to the Eureka Waterfront today as vessels paraded along the harbor between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The short holiday procession featured the Madaket among small boats, sailboats and tugboats decked out for a daytime display, and included Salty Santa aboard a decorated vessel for families to see from shore and on the water. Zerlang & Zerlang Marine Services provided support for the event, helping organizers stage the daytime route.
The parade resumed as a daytime event after prior seasons that often featured evening gatherings, drawing families to the waterfront for a daylight celebration that is easier for children and seniors to attend. For local businesses that line the waterfront, a steady flow of visitors during the midday hours offered an economic lift on a busy holiday weekend. Free and low cost public events like this are important to community cohesion here in Humboldt County, offering shared cultural experiences without the barriers of ticketed entertainment.
Public health considerations shaped how the event was presented. As an outdoor daytime gathering the parade presented lower transmission risk for respiratory illness compared with indoor events, and the open waterfront setting made it easier for families to spread out and remain comfortable. Organizers worked with marine services to stage the route and manage vessel traffic, a collaboration that also reinforces water safety messaging for recreational boaters and visitors.
The parade underscored broader equity issues around access to safe, family friendly recreation. In a region where economic pressures and limited community spaces can constrain options for children and older adults, seasonal public events create inclusive opportunities for celebration. As Salty Santa sailed past the piers, parents, grandparents and young children gathered along the shore, sharing a simple downtown holiday tradition that reflects Humboldt County maritime roots and the value of local partnerships between community groups and marine service providers.
