It’s been a tough year for time-honored annual traditions. But there’s one piece of holiday pageantry that will go on: lighted boat parades. Two of the Chesapeake Bay’s parades have already told Bay Bulletin they’ll be on as planned.
The granddaddy of them all, the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, will be held December 12, 6–8 pm. It usually sees a turnout of some 40 boats, both power and sail, processing around the Annapolis Harbor and under the Eastport Bridge. It has been running for nearly 40 years, and has won USA Today‘s “10 Best Holiday Parades” poll before. Anyone can enter, and there will be a decorating seminar on Thursday, Oct. 29, 7–9 pm.
Only high winds will cancel the Lights Parade, but organizers say route changes or other viewing accommodations may be made for COVID-19 safety. Check the Eastport Yacht Club’s website for updates.
A newer parade, the PYY Marine Pasadena Lighted Boat Parade off the Patapsco River, is set for Saturday, Nov. 28, 5–7 pm. It usually takes off from Broken Oar Bar & Grill and ends on Rock Creek. Organizers say the PYY Marine will cover registration fees for the first 20 boats to register. Proceeds from the third annual event will go to child cancer support. Call the Marine office at 410-255-1771 to register.
Is your town or yacht club putting on a lights parade this year? Please reach out to me at [email protected].
-Meg Walburn Viviano
