The Eastport Yacht Club presents the 29th Annual Parade of Lights

The 29th annual Holiday Parade of Lights commences this Saturday, December 10 at 6 pm and is the signature annual holiday event and one you won’t want to miss if you love the holidays, the water, and have a wonderful sense of fun and delight. There are 38-40 boats in the parade this year, down from a high of 70 approximately ten years ago. “40 is a nice manageable number” says Pete Chambliss, “It fills up both sides of Spa Creek and will allow the parade to end at 8 pm.”

History:

The Eastport Yacht Club has sponsored the event for those 29 years, but rumor has it that the Crabtowne Ski Club was responsible for the earliest — shall we say — “rendition” of the event. While the history is foggy, from rumors and the history on the www.crabtowne-skiers.com site, a group of Annapolitans who loved to ski — and play in general — while sitting around their meeting at Middleton’s over 30 years ago, organized a bunch of boats and singers to parade around City Dock in downtown Annapolis and sing Christmas carols. The Eastport Yacht Club took over the event 29 years ago and has been carefully tending it all these years to grow it into the “signature event for Annapolis for the holidays” according to Pete Chambliss, Eastport Yacht Club member, volunteer, and self-described Chief Elf for the parade. He is joined by other Parade Elves who work behind the scenes and chair the EYC committees that make this event possible.

Getting into Town and Parking:
The City of Annapolis recommends that viewers coming into Downtown Annapolis to see the Parade of Lights park in the public lot at Park Place (5 Park Place) located just off of West Street at the Circle. There are over 1100 underground parking places here, the cost is just $5, and the City of Annapolis is running a free shuttle to the City Dock. There will be no transportation from the Naval Academy Stadium parking lot on Rowe Boulevard, so don’t plan on parking there unless you want to walk.

Best Viewing Locations:

City Dock in downtown Annapolis

— anywhere you can see the water is a great spot.
Spa Creek Bridge — The boats will go right under you, but beware, you will be fighting for good space so get there early.

Eastport:

Carrol’s Creek

has a great deck area and parking in front of the adjacent building. The retaurant’s deck is a great place to stand. They used to have an outdoor drink station where you could buy steaming rum drinks and other libations. Keep checking our Facebook page to see who is selling what and where. ( www.Facebook.com/annapolismd )

Chart House

How would you like to watch the parade from the comfort of your dining room or living room? That’s pretty much how it is when you watch from the comforts of the Chart House’s bar area. They stick out into the harbor and their food, fireplace, and comfortable seating afford the most luxurious way to watch the parade. Again, get there REALLY early to get a seat with a view.

Any marina along Spa Creek

Pier 4 Marina
Petrini’s Marina
Annapolis City Marina

Comfort Stations:

The only public restrooms are located next to the Harbor Master’s office in the City Dock area. Keep walking towards the water and the Watermark Cruise station at the end of the dock and you will see the public restrooms on your left. They are brick and well marked. If you are in Eastport or on the bridge, you are better off stopping in a restaurant or bar and using their restrooms. Many establishments have restrooms for customers only, so have a hot chocolate or beer and a snack before you go out to brave the cold again.

Ways to Save Money/Special Deals

The Westin Hotel is home to the fabulous and trendy Azure restaurant. They are offering “unwind pricing” on all things winter: Sam Adams Winter Ale, Smirnoff Whipped Egg Nog, Smirnoff Hot Chocolate, and the infamous — and delicious — pumpkin martini. This martini uses pumpkin infused rye whiskey mixed with vanilla liquor and rimmed with a caramel and toasted pumpkin seed. If you want to save a little money and treat yourself to something VERY special, stop by Azure before you head to the waterfront for the Parade of Lights!

After three years with fireworks, the sky will be dark this year due to a problem with the barge company. Luckily, however, the Annapolis and Eastport Yacht Club’s Parade of Lights coincides with the full moon. So howl all you like at the boats and then appreciate the moon. Only once before has the parade landed on the full moon, so count your lucky stars, get outside on Saturday night and enjoy one of the coolest nautical holiday celebrations anywhere in the mid-Atlantic region!