Organizers and participants in this year's Trees in the Rigging boat parade gathered recently at the Connecticut River Museum (CRM) to announce the winners in the annual holiday boat decorating contest. The event, which marks the beginning the town's holiday season, featured festively lit vessels passing in review along the Connecticut River at the Essex waterfront. John Forella and Maria Murray of the Valorosa won first place for converting their 42-foot power boat into a beautifully wrapped holiday gift. They received a wooden boat model donated by the Essex Mariner as their prize. Second place was awarded to Chris and Casey Clark, owners of the 44-foot Following C, for their spectacular Jaws display, complete with a fully illuminated boat, monster-size shark, and soundtrack. A framed scrimshaw of The America donated by Boatique USA was the second-place award. Third-place honors went to Ishkoodah, a 37-foot sloop owned by Angus McDonald, Jr., and Patrick Kilty, featuring classically lit rigging and a peace symbol large enough to be seen for miles. They were awarded a Connecticut River Museum membership and CRM burgee. Trees in the Rigging is a community event presented annually by the Connecticut River Museum, the Essex Historical Society, and the Essex Board of Trade.