During this year’s holiday boat parade, the Everett Yacht Club plans to give more people a closer look at vessels rigged with Christmas lights, despite having a shorter parade route.
In previous years, the boats have gone as far south as Mukilteo. But safety concerns about 25 boats on the water in winter after dark triggered a change.
Instead, tonight the boat captains plan to head northward after reaching Naval Station Everett. By 7 p.m., they intend to dock outside Anthony’s Homeport, where the yacht club has scheduled a Christmas-themed viewing, complete with hot cider, music and candy canes.
During the dock viewing, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the audience can vote on the boats’ lighting displays for a new spectator award.
“I felt that it might be an opportunity, not only to make it a safer event, but also to allow it a greater exposure to the community,” said Vaughn Angel, chairman for the parade.
Safety is a watchword with Angel. He stressed that, while on the dock, children ages 12 and younger must wear a life jacket and be accompanied by an adult. The yacht club plans to provide life jackets.
The official boat parade begins at 4:45 p.m. today along the Snohomish River at the 10th Street Boat Launch. The boats will float along the shoreline and into the inner harbor, near Lombardi’s Cucina, 1620 W. Marine View Drive, before they scoot farther south.
After reaching the naval station, the route turns the boats around, taking them to the dock outside Anthony’s, 1726 W. Marine View Drive.
Reporter Andy Rathbun: 425-339-3455 or arathbun@heraldnet.com.
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