by Dorothy Kulisek
When it came time to create floats for the 2024 Wildwood Christmas Parade, Charles Eyster of Magnolia Bikes knew he wanted something special. His first idea was to build replicas of the island’s iconic lifeguard boats—but space and structural challenges quickly sank that plan. Instead, inspiration struck closer to home: Wildwood’s beloved sightseeing boats of yesteryear.
Charles Eyster of Magnolia Bikes & Parking spends months in hs garage transforming bicycle surreys into Christmas parade floats!
Eyster and his team, (he, himself and him 🙂 transformed three-bench surreys into whimsical versions of two classics—the Big Blue Sightseer and the Pink Flamingo. Built almost entirely from recycled materials, including old float parts, foam board, and wood, the project became both a labor of love and a nod to Wildwoods history. The Sightseer was decked out with seahorses and, for a festive twist, the Grinch himself at the helm—complete with a Burger King crown. The Pink Flamingo sported a second deck, filled with doll-sized “passengers” enjoying the ride.
Adding to the magic, Charles Eyster arranged for two retired sea captains—Chuck Schumann of the Sightseer and Captain Sinns of the Big Flamingo, to pilot the floats during the parade. With the frigid winter temperatures however, Capt. Sinns was unable to make it out.
For Eyster, the project carried a wave of nostalgia. As a child, he had ridden those same tour boats, which themselves had fascinating origins— after the war, they were repurposed WWII PT boats to carry sightseers and fishermen along the Wildwood coast.
With clever craftsmanship, heartfelt detail, and a dash of humor, Eyster succeeded in giving Wildwood loving parade-goers more than just floats. He brought back memories of summers past and celebrated the spirit of Wildwood, where even a bicycle can set sail.
And the best part? The story doesn’t end here. Wait until you see what Charles has been working on for this year’s Christmas Parade!
Come and see for yourself on Friday, December 5th at 6 p.m. in Downtown Wildwood
Don’t Miss the Magic!
Santa’s reindeer & his Sleigh in 2022 Christmas Parade
Charles Eyster & his 105 year old father-in-law, Vince riding shotgun in 2023 Christmas parade