FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — The Fort Pierce waterfront turned into a sea of red, white, and blue Friday for the 16th Annual Patriotic Boat Parade & Blessing of the Fleet, marking Independence Day with a celebration on the water.

Hosted by the Fort Pierce Yacht Club, the event was an official America250 celebration — and the only sanctioned America250 event on the Treasure Coast for the Fourth of July.

Boaters from across the region took part, decorating vessels in patriotic colors as they traveled through the Fort Pierce Inlet in a show of community pride.

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Organizers said 56 boats and other vessels participated this year, along with eight eFoil and foil assist riders who helped kick off the parade in the Turning Basin near Derecktor Shipyards before heading toward Jetty Park.

On the return route, each vessel received a Blessing of the Fleet from Father Robert Goodrich of Holy Family Catholic Church in Port St. Lucie, who offered prayers for safe passage and the boating community.

The parade also featured a “Christmas in July” moment, with Santa Claus appearing aboard the Red Baron.

While organizers fell short of their ambitious goal of 250 boats to honor America’s 250th anniversary, they say the turnout still reflected strong community spirit, with every flag and decorated boat adding to the Independence Day celebration.

Local law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, TowBoatUS, Florida Fish and Wildlife officers, and Fort Pierce Code Enforcement assisted with safety along the route.