- September 6, 2024
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Candy canes line the walkway of this festive dock at Longboat Harbour.
Photo by Lauren TronstadSanta hats are hung along posts strung with lights on the dock.
Photo by Lauren TronstadAll 52 individual docks were decorated for Saturday's Lighting of the Docks event at Longboat Harbour.
Photo by Lauren TronstadA light-up crab sits on one of the docks at Longboat Harbour's annual Lighting of the Docks event.
Photo by Lauren TronstadSanta waves at residents walking by in his go-to tropical attire.
Photo by Lauren TronstadThe primary feature of this dock was the sign for the North Pole with a snowman inside the lamp.
Photo by Lauren TronstadSome decorations alluded to the dock owner's personal interests.
Photo by Lauren TronstadSanta is perched on top of the fireplace on this dock to wave to residents walking the route Saturday night.
Photo by Lauren TronstadA nativity scene was set up at the end of the dock.
Photo by Lauren TronstadThese dock owners worked with what they had to honor baby Jesus.
Photo by Lauren TronstadMany of the docks at Longboat Harbour paid tribute to the reality of the holidays in Florida.
Photo by Lauren TronstadAll of the 52 individual docks were decorated for the annual event.
Photo by Lauren TronstadSnow was the theme of the dock labeled Mt. Longboat Harbour.
Photo by Lauren TronstadMultiple holidays this time of year were celebrated on this resident's dock.
Photo by Lauren TronstadResidents at Longboat Harbour tapped into their creative side for the Lighting of the Docks event.
Photo by Lauren TronstadPalm tree decorations are on many of the docks at Longboat Harbour in celebration of the holidays in Florida.
Photo by Lauren TronstadDocks are decorated at Longboat Harbour Condominiums for the holiday season.
Photo by Lauren TronstadAll 52 docks were decorated for Longboat Harbour Condominium's annual Lighting of the Docks event.
Some of the docks had themes, including those that paid tribute to celebrating the holidays in Florida.
Lights were strung around posts, inflatable Santas were set up and even some of the residents' boats were decked out in holiday style.
Each year, the residential complex raises money for Toys for Tots as part of the event. This year, about $5,300 was raised, according to condo Commodore Bill Coughlin.
"We crushed our Toys for Tots goal," he told residents at the awards ceremony.
The goal this year was to raise at least $4,000, he said.
Each resident with a dock who participated in the event, in this case all of them, received a Yacht Club goodie bag and coffee mug.
The top five finalists received a $75 gift card to Lazy Lobster. The next five received $25 gifts to the restaurant.
"It's great seeing old people have this kind of fun," Coughlin said.
Jane Hunter and John Wheeland were among the top five finalists, which they said is not unusual for them.
They have placed first or in the top five for the last three years.
This year, their dock was an undertaking.
"Each pole took us about three-and-a-half hours to do," Hunter said.