Labor Day weekend is upon us and so is a very busy day on the water. On Saturday, many people came out to show support for their presidential candidate.
Both President Trump and former Vice President Biden supporters launched their boat rallies from Horton Park in Cape Coral.
Another Trump parade was held at the north and south ends of Pine Island and merged together, featuring as many as 7,000 boats.
A charter boat captain we spoke to ahead of the parades told us she hoped patience rules the day on the water, not partisan politics.
“There’s going to be, you know, a lot going on, different political views and I think the biggest thing is people need to be patient with each other and just get out there and have a good day,” said Emily Locicero.
We were along the water Saturday ready to watch the parades, which kicked off around 9:15 a.m.
“We’re just fun-loving people would like to show our support,” said William Breckinridge, who came out Saturday to show his support for President Trump. “We want to be sure that we show solidarity for those who feel disillusioned or ignored in politics.”
Martha Matters also made her way out on the water Saturday morning. “I clap and yell, ‘Go Trump,'” she said. She’s here to cheer on the boats supporting the president.
Matters says she felt like she had to come out and show her support because she’s rooting for four more years. “Have to cheer them on. They’re out there doing this for us,” she said.
“We’re just trying to show our support to President Trump,” Kelly Smith said, who joined the parade Saturday as well.
Supporters believe this may just be the world’s largest boat parade.
“Everybody who came out, I’m glad they’re here. Anybody that didn’t get a chance to come out, I hope you notice that it’s going on and that there’s a lot of us out there,” Breckinridge added.
Not only were the president’s supporters out on the water Saturday morning but supporters of former Vice President Biden were as well.
“We just feel that we need to stand up and say something and that’s what we’re doing,” said Gabe Spuckes, who organized the Biden parade.
“We’re just going out to make sure that we can show that there are a lot of Biden supporters,” said Danika Fornear, who brought out a boat today.
Luckily, partisan politics on the water proved to be smooth sailing.
“We’ve actually already run into a few, some were great and said we’re glad that you’re out here, you know, this is America,” said Fornear.
Karina Smith said it’s absolutely okay that both supporters came out on Saturday. “Fair is fair. There are two presidential elects and everyone has to go out and support who they want to and may the best man win.”
Similar boat parades were held across the country in states like Minnesota, Michigan, and Texas.