The Brief

ORLANDO, Fla. - Plans for the annual Merritt Island Christmas Boat Parade are in jeopardy after the event’s main sponsor, Blue Marlin Real Estate, announced it will no longer host the parade.

The decision comes nearly a year after a boat designed to look like a Corvette crashed into another vessel during the parade, injuring several people. The boat’s driver later served 60 days in jail following the December 7 crash.

What we know:

The sponsor cited ongoing lawsuits tied to the crash as the primary reason for pulling out of the 2024 parade. In a statement released over the weekend, Blue Marlin said that continuing under the current circumstances would not allow the event to proceed safely or responsibly.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear who filed the lawsuits or wha

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