PORT TOWNSEND — The suggested theme is “Peace on Earth,” but all manner of lights and decorations are welcome, said Leslie McCoy, organizer of the Christmas Boat Parade set for Friday.
There’s no cost to enter the procession, set to start at 3:30 p.m. from the Boat Haven fuel dock and head to Point Hudson and back by about 5:30 p.m.
“If we have time, we’ll do a second loop,” said McCoy, who can be reached at LandCDby Leslie@gmail.com or via Facebook Messenger.
She invites non-motorized as well as motorized vessel captains, rowers and paddlers to join in.
McCoy, a semi-retired garden designer, and her husband Mike will pilot their lighted canoe in the parade.
She decided to keep it all simple this time out. She checked with the Port of Port Townsend and has signed up a variety of boats so far.
“It’s going to be a small parade. I thought: You’ve got to start somewhere,” said McCoy, who took this on when she didn’t find anyone else charting a lighted boat parade in Port Townsend this season.
“I feel it’s really important to represent the boating community, especially at Christmas time,” she said.
McCoy walked around the Boat Haven and the Point Hudson marina, spreading the word, and she did connect with boaters, kayakers and canoeists who expressed interest. Several are entered while some have yet to confirm.
Naturally, she also encourages spectators to come out Friday afternoon to see the lights as they glide past Port Townsend’s waterfront.
“It’s not only beautiful having the boats decorated, but also the reflection on the water,” McCoy said.
To participate, boaters should contact her first via her email or Facebook page, and then check in at the Boat Haven fuel dock between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Friday. Look for the red Toyota RAV 4, McCoy said.
If the weather is terrible, she may postpone the Christmas Boat Parade to Dec. 23 — but she’d rather go ahead and do it this Friday, she said.
“My goal was to have at least 12 boats,” she said, “but we’ll be happy to just be out there.”
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Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsula dailynews.com.
