Staff reports  |  Hundreds of merry-makers braved chilly, wet weather Saturday to celebrate the season and raise some money for charity.

The Rotary Club of Charleston’s annual Holiday Parade of Boats Viewing Party went off without a hitch – except that the actual boat parade didn’t happen for the first time because of inclement weather.  That didn’t matter about 400 people who gathered at the Charleston Maritime Center to eat barbecue, quaff beverages, listen to good music and enjoy a visit from Santa.  The annual event, now in its fifth year, raised thousands of dollars for the club’s charity fund, which offers grants to local organizations throughout the year for special projects.