Ever heard of Watuppa Palooza? Catch these wildly decorated boats on parade this summer

WESTPORT — The local boating community is gearing up to make some waves on the South Watuppa Pond this summer, with the return of its much-loved boat parades.

Watuppa Palooza, now in its fifth year, brings together the close-knit Watuppa Pond community — which includes residents of Westport, Fall River and Tiverton — for a celebration to enjoy by land or water.

"It turns out to be a pretty big thing," said co-organizer Christian DaSilva, who lives along the pond in Westport.

On Saturday, July 9, at 2 p.m., DaSilva — known as "Captain Seaweed" in these parts — will lead a flotilla of participants in the first of three parades he and fellow organizers Chuck Boulos and Karen Trainor have planned for the summer: Watuppa Celebrates America.

Vessels will be decked out in red, white and blue as boaters showcase their patriotism and mark the Fourth of July with a spin around the South Watuppa.

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'A great time'

Aquatic festivities on the pond continue with Watuppa Palooza — featuring numerous boats each offering their own unique theme — on Aug. 13 at 2 p.m., and a Moonlight Fun Run Parade — featuring a festival of lights on the water — on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m.

"Everybody uses their own creativity and it makes it a great time," said DaSilva, who expects a turnout of about 20 to 30 boats at each event.

In past years, DaSilva said pontoons have transformed into everything from floating luaus to an impressive, smoke-breathing dragon for Watuppa Palooza.

Will the friendly, fun-loving beast be back this summer? Join the flotilla or grab a spot along the shoreline and see for yourself. Either way, DaSilva assures there will be plenty to marvel at.

For DaSilva, the inspiration for his pontoon designs come from his granddaughters, age 6 and 4, who were the brains behind his Rainbow Unicorn and Little Mermaid themed entries.

He said planning and supply gathering is done in advance, but most of the decorating of his boat — dubbed the Abbie Kay, after his granddaughters — is done the night before or morning of the parade.

"You can do a lot with vinyl tablecloths," he said.

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A history of boat parades on the Watuppa

While this particular iteration has only been going on a few years, DaSilva said boat parades on the Watuppa can be traced back to the early 1900s. There are photos of clever boat creations from the 1960s posted to the Watuppa Palooza Facebook group.

What made him and his fellow Watuppa neighbors carry the torch and make it a regular event once again?

"We're proud of the pond... it's our home," he said. "It's a million-dollar view that we get every night."

According to DaSilva, the event, which has slowly grown from one to three, highlights the strong ties among the Watuppa Pond community.

How to get in on the action, or just watch from shore

But you don't have to have a boat or be a Watuppa Pond resident to get in on the action.

"The more the merrier," said DaSilva, who's been getting the word out to folks in all three Watuppa communities through word of mouth and Facebook.

Spectators watching from the shore will wave and cheer and hold up signs rating each boat design on a scale of 1 to 10. One familiar parade watcher is a 7-foot-tall sasquatch, courtesy of the Fall River Rod and Gun Club.

The new Fall River Family Picnic Grove, on the banks of the South Watuppa Pond adjacent to the former Dave’s Beach, is just one public spot that offers a great vantage point.

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Folks have cookouts and parties on the shoreline and movie nights on the water as part of the day's festivities.

DaSilva said what he looks forward to the most, especially after two years disrupted by COVID, is "people coming together again."

"Seeing parties on the shoreline with the little kids on the beaches waving to you, that's what makes it," he said. "Just seeing the faces of the kids as we go by."

For more information on the upcoming Watuppa boat parades, join the Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/256994415078114.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Watuppa Palooza events feature parade of decorated boats on pond