You don't get the nickname 'Captain Seaweed' for nothing.

Christian DaSilva, of Beaulieu Road in Westport, has had it for years, and not surprisingly loves to be on the water. This past weekend, he and a few dozen friends stirred the seaweed again when they organized and held a patriotic boat parade on South Watuppa Pond. Dozens of boats from Westport, Tiverton and Fall River joined in in the event, themed "Watuppa Celebrates America."

Around 2 p.m., all manner of boats began arriving at the south end of the pond. Most were covered in red, white and blue bunting with crew members similarly adorned. The parade moved at a leisurely pace around the pond, slowing now and the to wave to family and friends who gathered on the shore to watch the fun.

Boat parades were once much more common on the pond, DaSilva said. Though they go back decades, the events fell out of regular planning before organizers revamped the tradition about five years ago. DaSilva said he and his fellow organizers are proud to have brought back the annual parades, and are planning three of them through the summer, starting with Saturday's first.

Future events this summer include the main Watuppa Palooza (Saturday, August 14) and the Moonlight Fun Parade (Saturday, Sept. 4).

As always, he said, everyone is welcome to attend, and the boats usually line up just outside the cove on the south end of the pond.

"It's a lot of fun," he said.