It's Christmas Time on the Water...The Best Lighted Boat Parades Across the US

Harbors and rivers are ablaze, with mega-yachts, cruisers, sailboats, kayaks, and other flotables sporting every starry decoration imaginable from Christmas trees to naughty Santas. It's Christmas time on the water. And ever since the first little line of boats with lights strung from their masts set sail, holiday lighted-boat parades have become bigger and more extravagant each year.

With the economy still wobbling, it remains to be seen along the shore whether this year's celebrations will be as spectacular as those in more fiscally robust seasons of past years. However, a quick survey of websites dedicated to the parades indicates that, despite the economic climate, the parades will float on as elaborate as ever (boat owners spending as much as $40,000 to deck the halls of their vessels according to one website).

The waterside Christmas celebrations, most of which start showing up next weekend (the first weekend in December) and continue through the month up until the weekend before Christmas, are usually run by Chambers of Commerce, Yacht Clubs or Visitors Bureaus as a draw for communities on the water to not only the parades, but to local restaurants and shops. For example, the Newport Beach, California parade, one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of this type of spectacle (this year is the 101st parade) attracts millions of viewers each year, many of whom reserve tables at waterfront restaurants. Hey when you can't offer a white Christmas, boats with glistening decorations playing strains of Jingle Bells are a great way to make the holiday merry and bright. And Newport Beach, whose holiday regatta sails between Balboa Island and Pennisula, starts the season right with 5 consecutive days of boat parading beginning December 16.

Not to be outdone, the festival of lights for these boating extravagances often extends to shoreline residences and busineses as well. Creating runways of light for the parades, owners throw large parties where canal or harbor front docks are strung with lights and lawns and lanais bedecked with lighted Santas, reindeers and more. In the tiny waterfront town of Punta Gorda in Southwest Florida, for instance, boat parades wind through a maze of canals passing homes elaborately lighted for the procession.

The historic waterfronts of Alexandria, Virgina and Annapolis, Maryland will also sparkle during this holiday season. Alexandria's 10th regatta of lights which launches this Saturday, December 5, will navigate the Potomac from Washington to Alexandria's dock. Appropriately, Annapolis will welcome Santa from his boat rather than a sleigh the following Saturday.

The big daddy of the Lighted Boat Parades, Fort Lauderdale's Winterfest Parade is an entertainment extravaganza, entitled this year "That's Entertainment." The December 12 show, and it is a show, actually includes what the parade sponsors describe as giant showboats with musicians and dancers. Highlighted features of this year's 38th Annual splash of mega-yachts and more are "Anthony's Coal-Fired Pizza Showboat," the Clydey Foundations "Cirque" Floating Finale, and a "Phantom of the Opera" show. This year's grand marshals include celebrities Alonzo Mourning and Kim Kardashian.

Here's a rundown on some of the best upcoming Lighted Boat Parades:

Parade	Dates and Times	More Information
Newport Beach, CA	12/16-12/20 6:30 PM	http://www.christmasboatparade.com/
Punta Gorda, FL	12/5 6-9 PM & 12/19 6 PM	http://youbelonginpuntagorda.blogspot.com/2009/11/punta-gorda-lights-up-harbor-and.html
Annapolis, MD	12/12 6-8 PM	http://www.eastportyc.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=32
Fort Lauderdale, FL	12/12 6 PM	http://www.winterfestparade.com/winterfest_schedule_of_events.cfm
Marina Del Ray, CA	12/12 6 PM	http://www.mdrboatparade.org/home.htm
Venice, FL	12/5 6-8 PM	http://www.venicechristmasboatparade.com/
Alexandria, VA	12/5 4-6 PM	http://www.virginia.org/site/description.asp?AttrID=26951
St. Augustine, FL	12/12 6 PM	http://www.sayc2000.com/R_Blair_Maintained/LightsRegatta_2009.html

5 Places to Share with Visitors to Alexandria, VA

Alexandria, Virginia is just a river's breadth and slightly south of Washington, D.C., not surprisingly therefore, its culture, history, and lifestyle have been largely molded by the Capital that sits across from it on the Potomac.  This former colonial seaport, founded in 1749,  with its charming shops, narrow old alley-ways, pubs, galleries, restaurants, and historical buildings is a perfect destination for strolling and exploring .

I worked for several years on King Street in Old Town, and now am drawn to Alexandria  frequently to visit family who live there.  When I visit I become somewhat of a tourist myself or more so a tour guide for family, who like many others don't typically tour the city in which they live.  Myself, I am always trying to discover another hidden gem in this unique and picturesque town.

Here's what I would share with visitors:

A walk in Old Town Alexandria, first strolling down King Street cutting into side streets occasionally and then ambling along the waterfront, would head my list.  Another option would be to cover the same area using the free Trolley Tour  (http://visitalexandriava.com/about-alexandria/maps-transportation/free-king-street-trolley/). You can hop on and off  along Alexandria's main artery and check out interesting boutiques, galleries and historic sites on route.  The first  stop in any case should be at  Alexandria's  Visitors Center at Ramsay House located at 221 King Street to pick up a "Key to the City" which provides free admission to nine historic sites.    There are dozens of  places to see along the King Street and it's connected branches, some are private homes (generally on the side streets) with fascinating histories that you can note by the historic marker on the outside of the building.  A must spot to cover is Gadsby's Tavern Museum right off King on Royal.  Gadsby's Tavern is also a restaurant/hotel and a great place to enjoy lunch where George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and  James Monroe are said to have dined.

The Torpedo Factory was actually a Torpedo Factory.  It was built in 1918 and for five years  was responsible for the manufacture and maintenance of torpedoes. Work stopped until the facility was reemployed as a munitions storage area during World War II and ultimately the maker of submarine torpedos -- one of which you can see on the main floor of the building.  Now home to more than 165 visual artists, the Tropedo Factory has glassed-in work areas where you can watch artists  produce artwork in a wide variety of media including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture. The artists invite visitors to observe them in the process of creating their art works. You  can ask questions, learn about each of their art forms, and purchase original work.

George Washington Masonic Memorial looms tall above Alexandria at the end of King Street on the top of a hill.  To get there, drive and park  or  take the free shuttle bus up King Street.  Visible from as far as Washington, the memorial has attracted more tourists since Dan Brown wrote about it in "The Lost Symbol," and piqued more curiosity about Freemasonry.   Inspired by the Egyptian Lighthouse of Alexandria and the Pantheon, the building from the outside itself is a three-tiered architectural wonder. Inside its palatial rooms are truly startling, something unexpected, with its grand entrance hall and statuary almost deifying our first President.  Whether wandering about on your own, or better yet, taking one of the tours, you will learn an amazing amount about George Washington, and Freemasonry.  More information on visiting the Memorial can be found at http://www.gwmemorial.org.

While I  have a number of favorite restaurants in Alexandria, the one I would take visitors would be Restaurant Eve.  The creation of  husband and wife team, Dublin-born Chef Cathal Armstrong,  and his restaurant veteran wife, Meshelle Armstrong, Eve is one of the top-acclaimed restaurants in the DC-metro area.    The tasting room might be a bit much for your wallet, except on special occasions, but Eve's Bistro is a delight in its own right and perfect for lunch, where you can try their hawaiian prawn sandwich, or an Irish BLT or a very fine bouillabaisse, for example.

Although technically with an address of its own, Mount Vernon is surrounded by Alexandria and about 8 miles south of Old Town.  You can reach it down the George Washington Parkway by car or, weather, season and time permitting, you can take a boat ride there.   Spirit Cruises offers seasonal boat transportation from Washington, D.C., and the Potomac Riverboat Company cruises to Mount Vernon from Old Town.   Once there, you can now start your tour at the relatively new additions to Mount Vernon -- the Ford Orientation Center and the Reynolds Museum and Education Center, providing galleries and theaters to illuminate visitors on the life and times of the First President.  While the centers are definitely worth the time there, the real centerpiece of your visit should be Washington's home site and gardens.  Mount Vernon is a place you could spend days visiting, but try to allow at least a day to fully experience this extraordinary place on the Potomac.