The lighted boat parade is being held in conjunction with the Port of Bellingham’s Holiday Fest. Everyone is welcome to decorate their boats and be included in this fun festive holiday event. We want lots of boats participating this year, so tell your neighbors and your boating friends! All clubs and boaters are welcome to participate! In order to join in the competition, your boat will need to be present in each of the scheduled parades. This year the parade route will proceed past Boulevard Park, Taylor Street Dock and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal and will end with a route through the East entrance of Squalicum Harbor over to Gate 12 passing by all the harbor side restaurants. This will provide our community two nights and many options for viewing this event.

Registration for the parade will be on Friday and Saturday from 3:30 to 5:00 pm at the Bellingham Yacht Club. In order to participate for an award one will need to register your boat on Friday and receive a number. There is no fee for registration. Boats away will be at 1800 on Friday in order to accommodate the Alaska Ferry scheduled departure at 1800 from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. On Saturday boats away will be at 1730 our regular scheduled time. Judging will be done on both Friday night and Saturday night accounting for all boats participating in the competition. There will be awards given for Lighted Boat of the Year, Community Spirit Award, Best in Parade, and for those participating in the Lighted Boat Parade for the first time, there is the Novice Grand Prize award.

Saturday night we will complete the parade, and awards will be issued after Bellingham Yacht Club’s annual offering of soup, chili and an assortment of breads for all participants. Now get out there, tell your friends and decorate your boat! Let the Parade Begin!

Fair Winds ~ Calm Seas!

Jody K Erickson
Bellingham Yacht Club
Fleet Captain