The heartbeat of a city, its character and unique charm, is determined by more than the contours of its skyline or images captured on a Google street-view map. It is the people, the special gatherings and all the events that best define a city.

Those of us who live in Jacksonville know it is an extraordinary place, blessed with temperate weather, a great business environment and people who work well together. It is a growing, vibrant city that hosts more than its share of  events and memorable gatherings each year.

Some events, like the annual Florida-Georgia showdown, are great for bringing in visitors and stimulating our local economy. Other special events, like fairs, expos and art shows, are geared toward attracting a local audience and bringing people together to celebrate life in Jacksonville. Saturday December 7th, at 7 pm. The Julington Creek Prop Club will be hosting it's annual Christmas on the Creek Parade.

Begun in 1988,  holiday-decorated boats are lined up for the parade, which begins at The Marina at Julington Creek at 12807 San Jose Blvd., then goes underneath the San Jose Boulevard bridge around Bulls Bay, then back and down Durbin Creek. Spectators can view it from the bridge walkways, while docks along the creeks will also be decorated.

Freedom Boat Club will be participating with their award winning boat, Deck the Hulls with Bows of Holly. "This is a great way for all of the people that live in the Julington Creek Mandarin area to see a lighted boat parade, right in their neighborhood", said Lisa Almeida, CEO of Freedom Boat Club.

It is a magical evening for the entire family on the river.  It is a night when moms, dads, sisters, brothers, grandparents come together for a fun evening to kick off the holidays. For the boaters, it is a day of camaraderie and pure joy when they get to share a gift with all the loving spectators.

For more information go to  the Julington Creek Prop Club Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/jcpropclub, or visit www.freedomboatclub.com