FLEMING ISLAND – When Whitey and Ann Ham opened Whitey’s Fish Camp in 1963, Ann was passionate about supporting no-kill animal shelters for homeless pets.

The staff, community and her family will continue to honor her memory on Saturday, Dec. 14, with the 22^nd Lighted Boat Parade at Whitey’s along Swimming Pen Creek to benefit the Safe Animal Shelter.

“We’re carrying on that tradition,” said Danielle Lawley, Ann’s granddaughter.

The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. with smaller boats cruising north and south along the creek in front of the restaurant, while larger boats will only be allowed to leave Whitey’s docks and travel north to Doctors Lake before returning since they can’t maneuver under the bridge, Lawley said.

Last year, G2 Dumpster won the grand prize for its Polar Express theme. The company offers dumpster rental for comprehensive waste material removal in the Fleming Island area.

The event has become one of Safe Animal Shelter’s biggest events. A year ago, the third generation assumed responsibility for running the fundraiser. Grandson Alex Ham said they set an “ambitious and naïve” goal in 2023 to raise $30,000, but they still collected a record $25,532. He said they will meet that goal this year.

Safe Executive Director Sandy Summerton said the boat parade plays a significant role in the shelter’s operation.

“It’s a big piece of our fundraising that we do,” she said. “We use the money for the spay and neutering of the animals, medical expenses, food, litter for the kitties, formula, anything that we have a need for.”

Summerton said Safe’s medical bills run about $200,000 a year.

She said there will be three big raffles this year. One will be for a $1,000 Amazon gift card, another for a $500 Visa gift card and a third for a pair of Meta Quest Vision Goggles.

There will also be other raffles, vendor booths, and live and silent auctions. Whitey’s Manager, Amy McClain, said waterfront reservations will be sold with all money going to Safe. There also will be drink specials and live music.

The boat parade is one of the busiest nights at Whitey’s, so the Clay County Sheriff’s Office will prohibit anyone from turning into the parking lot from County Road 220.

Parking will be at Swimming Pen Elementary, and free shuttles will take guests to the restaurant, or they can opt for the 10-minute walk.

Lawley said anyone interested in registering their boat can do so at whiteysfishcamp.com/register or call (904) 269-4198.