
YORKTOWN — In the wake of a controversial entry into this year’s Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade, the Yorktown Foundation issued a statement regarding the polarizing messaging of one entry.
The annual Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade, which took place at the Yorktown Riverfront on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2021, included several entries. Many expressed concern after an entry, which had a lighted sign stating, “FJB” and “Let’s Go Brandon!” on it, was not only allowed to participate in the family-friendly event, but was initially declared the “Best in Show” at the parade’s conclusion. “FBJ” stands for, “F— Joe Biden” and the phrase, “Let’s Go Brandon!,” has been adopted by those who do not support President Joe Biden.
Dr. Walt Akers, a member of the Board of Directors for the Yorktown Foundation, the parent, all-volunteer organization that oversees many of the celebratory committees in York County, including for the Lighted Boat Parade, reached out to WYDaily to express an apology on behalf of the committee and release the following statement:
Dr. Akers also said that the committee remains “pretty hands off” when it comes to monitoring the activities of these subcommittees but pays particular attention to if insurance and taxes are paid on time. However, upon further reflection, he said that more energy should be expended upon making sure that everyone who participates in the Foundation’s programs and events understands that it is an apolitical organization.
He said, “In retrospect, we should have expected that the current political divisiveness would have spilled over into other activities. I want to humbly apologize for that shortsightedness, and assure you that we will be much more diligent in the future.”
Dr. Akers expressed that the volunteers of the Foundation “feel terrible” about what happened and that they will work together to ensure there is not a reoccurrence.
Earlier today, WYDaily reached out to Visit Yorktown who put this newsroom in touch with Yorktown’s Dock Master Capt. James Scruggs. He told WYDaily that the parade’s committee was reconvening to reevaluate how the points were awarded and to look for any discrepancies that may have occurred. However, he did not elaborate further.
The Yorktown Lighted Boat Parade stated that the winners would be announced soon along with a video of the parade itself.
WYDaily reached out to several individuals who participated in the parade including York County Board of Supervisors Chairman Chad Green and York-Poquoson Sheriff J.D. “Danny” Diggs, of whom both of these elected local government officials served as judges for the parade, and Capt. Bill Berger, owner and operator of the boat in which was initially declared “Best in Show.” None of these individuals responded to numerous requests for comment.