Many congratulations are in order for the
Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade! The event won top honors in the
USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice contest for Best Holiday Parade.
This year marks the 34th annual event; the parade takes place tomorrow,
December 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. along the Annapolis Spa Creek waterfront, below and above the bridge. WNAV Radio 1430 will be providing live coverage of the parade with roving reporters from 6 to 8 p.m. and will report on the winners at 10 p.m. Winners also will be announced over marine radio Channel 72 at 10 p.m.
Where to watch the parade according to EYC
- Eastport Bridge: If it's a warm or still night, this is the best vantage point. The bridge will be closed to vehicles but open before the parade, at 6:45 and again at 7:45 p.m.
- Naval Academy: The length of seawall bordering Spa Creek offers a long, unobstructed viewing area. Check ahead for Naval Academy security regulations that will be in effect.
- City Dock: This is a perennial favorite spot for viewers where there is the choice of watching the boats collectively as they parade in the harbor or individually as they negotiate Ego Alley. The Alley spot offers the closest possible look at the decorations as well as the chicken wire and PVC pipe that support them.
- Harbor Queen: One fine vantage point at City Dock will be Watermark's Harbor Queen, moored at the end of the dock and conducting the "Queen of All Food Drives" during the parade. Bring a bag of non-perishable food, pet food items, or a cash donation ($10 recommended) and you'll be welcomed aboard. Beverages and snacks available for purchase and proceeds benefit the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.
- Other Spots: the walkway in front of Annapolis City Marina in Eastport, or any of the streets that dead-end at the harbor or Spa Creek are good spots to view the parade.
Parking
The parking site for this year’s parade will be the garage at Park Place, 100 Westgate Circle. There will be signs on Rowe Boulevard and Taylor Avenue directing visitors to the garage. The Free City Shuttle will circulate every ten minutes from Park Place to downtown and from there back to Park Place until 2:30 AM. The Shuttle can be hailed anywhere along the route.
For more info, click to
eastportyc.org/parade-info.