Just a few hours after Maryland Governor Larry Hogan addressed the public with dire warnings and new restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19, the decision was announced.
The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade won’t go on in 2020. The nearly four-decade Annapolis waterfront tradition happens each year on the second Saturday night in December. Up until Tuesday, organizers were forging ahead with the event, and according to their website, 16 boats were already registered.
Parade Publicity Chair Sandra Grosswork tells Bay Bulletin, “Due to new virus related restrictions, both the city and the club agreed that this was not the time for a parade and the close contact which would be unavoidable. Too bad, but also too risky this year!”
The Lights Parade, which processes around the Annapolis Harbor and under the Eastport Bridge, has been nationally recognized as a top holiday event, winning USA Today‘s “10 Best Holiday Parades” poll in 2016 and ranking near the top almost every year.
The Deale Parade of Lights, which was scheduled for December 10th on Rockhold Creek, made a similar announcement Tuesday afternoon. The event is postponed until 2021.
-Meg Walburn Viviano
