NY Christmas boat parade changes name, loses fans

wtopnews ^ | 11.24.08

[Coleus]

An annual parade of boats on a Long Island river that dropped "Christmas" from its name has apparently lost lots of supporters.

About 1,000 people showed up Sunday for the Patchogue (PACH'-awg) Boat Parade of Lights. That's 500 fewer than usually showed up when it was called the Patchogue Christmas Boat Parade.

[Coleus]

New York Boat Parade Leaves 'Christmas' High and Dry

The "Christmas Boat Parade" in Patchogue, N.Y., has a new name — and one less sponsor.

This year, the annual celebration was changed to the "Patchogue Boat Parade of Lights," after some residents complained using "Christmas" in the name wasn't inclusive enough. Sunday's event drew 500 fewer people than in the past, according to news reports.

Philip Butler, vice president of the nearby fireworks company Fireworks by Grucci, helped to get "Christmas" into the name, and dropped his sponsorship of the event after the name change.

"They are using all the themes of Christmas and plagiarizing all those themes and not using the name," said Butler, who donated $5,000 in fireworks last year.

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[Boiling Pots]

Christmas = verboten.

Ramadan = celebrated.

[Clemenza]

Count me in as perhaps the sole member of the Agnostic Caucus for "Keeping Christmas CHRISTmas." There is NO reason that my Xian fellow citizens have to be ashamed for THEIR holiday all in the name of being "inclusive."

[Luke21]

I am sick to death of commercials that begin: “This holiday, get the gift...”

If they want our bucks they should say the name.

[Dilbert San Diego]

It’s a sad trend of the times. A few years ago, here in San Diego, the long standing name of the Christmas event, called “Christmas on the Prado”, so named because it was held at the Prado at San Diego’s Balboa Park, was given the politically correct name of “December Nights”.

The organizers said that the name change was done to reflect the great diversity of San Diego. So they figured being diverse and inclusionary would be mentioning the month that a certain holiday occurs, without mentioning any holiday by name. That’s diversity for you.

I’m sure others can think of examples of this politically correct thinking. Schools have winter break, not Christmas vacation. School have winter concerts, not Christmas or even holiday concerts.

[doc1019]

A wise and observant person you are. ;-)

[DeFault User]

It's just not the same....

[max americana]

If anyone knows FR poster an American in Tokyo, last Christmas he posted pictures in Tokyo of major malls and stores in the vicinity..

it’s MERRY CHRISTMAS signs everywhere! The Japanese have no concept of PC and it really is an amazing sight.

[Clemenza]

Unfortunately, when I was in Spain last year, I saw more “Feliz Fiestas” signs than “Feliz Navidad.”

[CharacterCounts]

This year, the annual celebration was changed to the "Patchogue Boat Parade of Lights," after some residents complained using "Christmas" in the name wasn't inclusive enough. Sunday's event drew 500 fewer people than in the past, according to news reports.

So, the end result is its about 500 people less inclusive than before. And you can bet the "some residents" who complained never attended the parade in the past or this year.

[mplsconservative]

Simply ping him to this thread. Any pics from last Christmas AIT?

[max americana]

LOL, How do you ping anyways? I still remember those nice Christmas pics from last year that AIT posted so I had to mention it.
Same thing in the Philippines where I usually head for business, the only Christian nation in Asia. It’s all Merry Christmas (or “Maligayang Pasko” and almost everyone goes to midnight mass 12 nights in a row to receive blessing. No PC there either.

AIT, I hope you do the same this year.

[AmericanInTokyo]

thanks for reminding me. it has been on my mind. maybe I will start taking photos again, or perhaps recycle the ones used from last year!

[max americana]

>perhaps recycle the ones used from last year!

If I see “Merry Christmas 2007”, then I know it’s from last year.:) Pls. head to the Ginza District..if u have the time.

[informavoracious]

It is rarely people of other faith traditions that are offended. Many think we are foolish and pathetic for flushing our own traditions.

No, it's usually some misguided lefty American (who DOES do Christmas in her own family) who complains, uninvited, on their behalf.

If they get any more "inclusive," maybe no one will show up at all.

[PotatoHeadMick]

Here in Jakarta, Indonesia, the capital of the nation with the largest Muslim population on earth the signs in the shops and on the billboards say Happy Christmas (or “Selamat Natal” as it is here), there is no problem whatsoever, the Muslims will take the day off as it is a public holiday, they won’t celebrate it themselves but have no objection to those who do and are perfectly happy to wish a happy Christmas to their Christian neighbours.

Who are these self loathers and which stone could they just crawl back under?

[Right Wing Assault]

They should have two parades. One for the Christmas people and one for the others. See which one gets the most viewers.

[mplsconservative]

LOL. I want to see the pics too. :)

Have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow. I am, as they say, outta here, big travel day.

[WashingtonSource]

The same in Singapore. Giant Merry Christmas signs on big department stores, signs that are half as long as a football field.

[Cacique]

bfl