Arts & Entertainment Community

Lighted Boat Parade continues a half-century tradition

When the boats line up Saturday, Dec. 10, for the annual Lighted Boat Parade, they’ll be part of a continuous tradition that dates back to the 1970s or earlier.

Even when many events were canceled due to COVID-19, the parade still was able to light up the harbor on a December evening, according to Robert Philpott, a long-time member of the Gig Harbor Yacht Cub and organizer of the event.

“We could do it because the boats are isolated from each other and there are just small groups of people on the boats,” Philpott said.

Expect 50 to 60 boats

At the height of the COVID shutdown in 2020, more than 60 boats participated – one of the best turnouts ever. Last year 53 decorated boats cruised the harbor.

As of Friday, more than 40 boats had signed for the parade. Typically, 10 to 20 boats that don’t register show up at the last minute, Philpott said. “So I’m sure we can count on a great showing again this year.”

Boats of all shapes and sizes are welcome to participate – even intrepid kayakers – whether or not the owners are yacht club members.

As usual, the Gig Harbor Police Department’s boat, flashing its blue strobe light, will lead the parade, followed by the boat from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. The official yacht club boat, the 52-foot “Island Time,” will be third in line, sporting a big Yacht Club banner.

Then the other boats join in, with boat names starting with the letters A-thru-M going first, followed by boat names starting with N-thru-Z.

For GHPD Chief Kelly Busey, leading the parade is more than just a ceremonial duty.

Boats of all shapes and sizes take part in the lighted boat parade (Courtesy photo)

“It’s always an honor to have the Gig Harbor Police Boat lead the parade,” Busey said.  “But our primary purpose is to ensure the safety of the participants by helping navigate through the harbor and avoiding some unseen hazards, such as buoys or anchored boats.”

Speed and weather

Philpott, in his boat “Princess Leah,” will be one of the three “corners” that keep the parade moving smoothly. The Princess Leah will be easy to recognize with a big Rudolph perched on her bow.

Two more yacht club members in their boats form the other corners, marking the spots along the route where the participants make sharp turns to change direction.

As any boater can attest, weather can be a factor. Fog can be a problem, and if it’s windy, the bigger boats can be hard to handle.

This year’s parade will take place on an outgoing tide, with a 1-1.5-knot current at the mouth of the harbor. The weather forecast is for rain.

Cutline: Many boat owners host parties aboard their yachts during the annual lighted boat parade. (Contributed photo.)

Parade memories 

Former city councilman and longtime Yacht Club member Ken Malich knows how the combination of slow speed and nasty weather can be a challenge.

One of his most memorable parade experiences happened the first time he participated.

“I had just bought the boat that year and hadn’t made all the improvements I would have liked,” Malich recalled. “I had a boater friend breathing down my stern complaining he couldn’t see me, while I was up on top with the window open trying to stay with the boat in front.

“We kept going from fast to dead slow. The rain was a downpour, and I couldn’t shut the window because I couldn’t see through the plastic of my Bimini top. By the time we got around the bay, I was soaked. I was soggy and not very enthusiastic about doing it. And everyone else in our party was inside having coffee and cookies while I froze on top.

“My lights looked good, but they kept tripping the breaker. My alternator couldn’t keep my batteries charged, because alternators don’t work well at idle since they’re dependent on the engine running a normal speed. I almost lost the total charge. I didn’t use LEDs back then, but after that, I sure did.”

A small fleet of kayaks often joins the event, although they don’t usually follow the parade route but rather stay on the west (city) side of the harbor. A stand-up paddleboarder or two occasionally gets in on the act.

The Gig Harbor Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.

The view from the water

As much as parade-watchers enjoy seeing the lighted boats from cozy waterfront restaurants, homes-with-views and well-chosen spots on shore, the boaters have a unique view of the landward scene.

“It’s fantastic to see all the other boats on the water, but it’s really special to see the entire shore and all the homes with their holiday lights,” Philpott said. “It’s a beautiful sight – almost like fireworks.

“And it’s fun knowing that there are lots of parties going on and that people are filling our downtown eateries and parks. The parade really brings life to downtown.”

And from the shore

Guy Hoppen, president of the BoatShop and a lifelong Gig Harbor resident, usually watches the parade from his home on the east side of the bay.

“There is no doubt that the boat parade is iconic,” Hoppen said in an email. “On the east side of the harbor, it’s the one event of the year where we see cars parked bumper-to-bumper on Goodman Drive since most waterfront residents invite family and friends over to enjoy it.”

The BoatShop decorated its historic purse seiner “Veteran” for the holiday season. Although she won’t join the parade, passers-by can see her at Ancich Park.

On the water before the parade

The fun isn’t confined to the nighttime boat parade. Earlier in the day, watch for Santa in a kayak, pulled by several “reindeer.” That’s Alan Anderson, retired coach of the Gig Harbor Canoe & Kayak racing team, as Santa, with several master paddlers pulling his “sleigh.”

The parade starts at 5 p.m. and the boats make two laps of the harbor. Last-minute boaters can register for the parade via the yacht club’s website.

The view from the bow of one of the boats participating in the annual lighted boat parade. (Contributed photo)