Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> Suzanne Schmid / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Spectators watch boats float by the 10th Street Boat Launch in Everett during the Everett Yacht Club's holiday parade Saturday evening. Suzanne Schmid / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Karen Bukis of Marysville and her 22-month-old grandchild, Caden Housten of Arlington, watch a boat pull away from the dock at Anthony's Homeport in Everett on Saturday night.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, December 9, 2007 Boat parade lights up a cold Everett night Hundreds of people turn out for holiday parade By Scott Pesznecker Herald Writer EVERETT -- For five years, David Sherman has decorated his 44-foot Sunship to take part in the Everett Yacht Club's holiday boat parade. But on Saturday night, he believes he witnessed the birth of a new tradition. Rather than sail down to Mukilteo, the parade of more than 30 lighted boats docked outside Anthony's Homeport, where more than 400 people braved frigid temperatures for close-up views of the decorated yachts. "I think this year was the greatest," said Sherman, holding his "first mate," a 2-year-old Pomeranian named Gilly. "I was so impressed to see how many people were standing up there waiting to come down." The lighted boat parade started at the 10th Street Boat Launch and drifted down to Naval Station Everett before heading to the boardwalk. When the boats docked, the soft sounds of Christmas music could be heard from Anthony's, and people licked candy canes and sipped hot apple cider. Skippers pulled out all the stops to decorate their vessels. Sherman's boat, named Durante, was fitted with a lit-up dolphin on the bow and red candy cane lights beneath the handrails. Another boat, called Fishtale 2, had a figure of Frosty the Snowman on its roof and large fishing net filled with presents hanging from its stern. Others adorned their crafts with decorations such as wreaths, Christmas trees and Santa figures. In a contest held during the viewing, onlookers voted the Fishtale 2 as the best-decorated boat of the parade. Vaughn Angel, fleet captain of the Everett Yacht Club and chairman of the holiday boat parade, decorated his yacht to the theme of the popular Dr. Seuss story "How The Grinch Stole Christmas." A clever display of lights on the side of Angel's boat -- named the Von Boyage -- depicted the famous children's book character riding in his dog-pulled sleigh. "I hope this grows. I hope it becomes a community event," Angel said. Ed Oas of Arlington took part in Saturday's parade with his 32-foot Bayliner, named Audio Oas. The last time he'd sailed in the parade was about five years ago, when only a dozen boats took part. Sailing to Mukilteo at night was somewhat dangerous, he said. On Saturday, Oas was amazed to see so many people waiting for the boats to dock at the waterfront. "This is way beyond anything we've had in years past," he said. "There was a much bigger turnout than we've had." The landlubbers on the boardwalk seemed equally satisfied. Chris Hickey and her husband, Larry Hickey, enjoyed dinner at a waterfront restaurant so they could watch the lighted boats sail in. After the boats docked, the Hickeys walked down to take a gander at the various decorations. "They're lovely, it's great," Chris Hickey said. "I think it's lovely that they're here. You don't have to go all the way down to Seattle to see these lovely ships." Nobody knew what to expect when they changed the route of the annual boat parade. Now, Sherman can't envision the holiday event happening any other way. "I think this was great," he said. "It will probably be an even bigger thing next year." Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

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