Outdoor lights, parades, and community events in the heart of the city are integral to the holiday season. Just imagine this landscape: snow lightly covering the ground by night, families bundled up and anticipating something great, and the lights around downtown Annapolis illuminating the sidewalks. This wholesome landscape is realized with this year’s Parade of Lights hosted by Eastport Yacht Club. December 14 brings this event to the Annapolis Harbor that’s open to all and completely free. Below, we explore the history and future of this true Annapolis holiday tradition.
“This year is the 31st anniversary,” says Sandra Rosswork, proud of what she and the EYC Lights Parade Committee have accomplished. Rosswork, who handles the PR for the Lights Parade, explains that the parade started right from where it takes place every year–the Annapolis Harbor. Jim Langer, an EYC club-goer and founding member, is to thank for the Lights Parade we know today. In the winter of 1981, Langer decorated his own vessel with a slew of lights and sailed around the Harbor. By 1986, nearly forty boats followed Langer’s lead and sailed their decorated boats around the Harbor. From that point on, the Lights Parade has been a must-have to kick start the holiday season for both the EYC and community members. In fact, the Lights Parade was dubbed an “official Annapolis event” a few years after it started and an “official Maryland winter celebration” in 1988, according to Rosswork.
Not only is this Lights Parade a testament to the good idea of one Annapolitan, but the longevity of this EYC function also speaks volumes. “We’ve only had one parade with huge winds,” Rosswork said, “And winds would be the only reason to cancel the event–not because of snow or rain.”
Though the parade registration is open to all who own boats that run at least five knots, there is much to plan for nonetheless. Rosswork tells us she and the parade committee, chaired by Pete Chambliss, have been planning this year’s Lights Parade since the end of January. It takes nearly a whole year to organize advertisers and sponsors, find an artist to illustrate the poster and other literature (this year’s is Ramon Matheu), send out publicity in the summertime, and obtain permits from multiple sources. “The Harbor is closed during the Parade,” Rosswork explains, “So have to go through the Coast Guard to utilize it for safety reasons.”
All the hard work is worth it, though, as the community, EYC Foundation, and Annapolis kids all benefit. This free holiday event is family-friendly and lasts two hours (6 to 8 p.m.)–perfect for a quick outing. Thanks to the sponsors and some income from the event, money is raised for the EYC Foundation, which helps “at-risk” children in Annapolis. Lastly, this brings plenty of business to downtown and is an all-around extraordinary way to bond to the community.
So what can you expect at this year’s Lights Parade? Because each year features a mixture of novice and experienced participants, the floats may be a mixture of new favorites and old classics. In years past, boats have decorated with Ravens and Christmas themes and even created the boat to look like a trolley car. What you can be certain of is the influx of people coming into downtown. Rosswork hopes the Lights Parade will bring in nearly 30,000 people. This high number is easy to understand though–the longstanding tradition is free, fun, and even dramatic at times. The beginning of the parade–at 6 p.m.–is one of the best parts, according to Rosswork. The Harbor switches from utter darkness to lit up with creativity and holiday cheer within a matter of seconds.
In addition to the expected number of spectators and floats, Rosswork reminds us that there may be surprises. “We had two proposals during the Lights Parade, including last year!” she exclaims. The clever souls who proposed from the Harbor incorporated the proposal in by spelling it out with lights. Rosswork of course wouldn’t spill any news about surprises; you’ll have to attend to discover what’s in store.
Spectators can find a good view of the parade from various spots: City Dock, Ego Alley, the Eastport Bridge, the Spa Creek Bridge, and around the Naval Academy. The Spa Creek Bridge offers the most visibility but will fill up quickly. Parking is determined by the spot you hope to watch from, but the Park Place Garage is the designated parking place. Shuttles will run from Park Place Garage to downtown every 10 minutes until 2:30 a.m. Look for signs to the garage on Taylor Avenue and Rowe Boulevard.
Watching from the water is also possible. Watermark Cruises opens up the chance to watch from Harbor Queen with the payment of a food can or donation that will go to area food banks. Watermark also offers a dinner cruise option aboard the Catherine Marie that costs $135 but includes parking, dinner, and over an hour of exquisite, unobstructed views of the show. Book these before they’re sold out at Watermark’s site.
It is important to note that because this takes place outside, pets and strollers are welcome.
Can’t attend for some (extremely sad) reason? The whole parade will be streamed live on streamlive.org, just as it was last year. “People in New Zealand were watching it last year!” Rosswork laughs. You can find out more about the parade on EYC Lights Parade’s site.
If you want to mingle with the Lights Parade Committee and meet the poster artist, come out to the artist reception scheduled on November 13 at 7 p.m. The public is invited. Artist Ramon Matheu will unveil his creative process, discuss his design for the Lights Parade poster, and sign copies. This event is free and includes a cash bar. For more, head to EYC’s Artist Reception.
Happy spectating!
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