Submitted by The Olympia Yacht Club
The Olympia Yacht Club’s (OYC) Annual Lighted Ships Parade, scheduled for Saturday December 3, features new several activities that enhance this long-standing Olympia holiday event. While the Lighted Ships Parade itself gets underway promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, spectators are urged to arrive prior to the 6:00 p.m. launch time at Olympia’s Port Plaza Park to ensure they don’t miss all the decorated boats as they sail by.
Additionally, starting at 5:00 p.m., Santa & Mrs. Claus are making a special appearance at Port Plaza Park, joined by local carolers. Just before 6:00 p.m. to kick off the event, WSECU is sponsoring a special lighting of the Port Plaza Tower that signals the official start of the Lighted Ships Parade. For best viewing, it’s recommended that you get to the Port Plaza Park, 701 NW Columbia St., before 6:00 p.m.
Approximately 20 lighted boats are participating in the parade this year, sailing north from the vicinity of Percival Landing past the judge’s boat at the Port Plaza dock. They will then proceed north along the east side of Budd Inlet to Boston Harbor. Boats return to Olympia by 8:00 p.m. along the west side (Cooper Point side) of Budd Inlet. Since many of the boats are decorated on their starboard (right hand) side only, the best viewing is during their trip north includes the Percival Landing boardwalk, the tip of the Port peninsula by Anthony’s Hearthfire Restaurant and KGY Radio and anywhere along East Bay Drive north of Swantown Marina. On the return trip south from Boston Harbor good vantage points include West Bay Drive, West Bay Park, West Bay Marina and Tugboat Annie’s.
Attendees are encouraged to plan for the usual Olympia fall/winter weather which could likely mean rain. A fairly heavy rain didn’t deter attendance at the 2015 Lighted Ships parade, one of the most festive yet.
2016 Lighted Ships Parade Timeline:
5:00–Carolers, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the Port Plaza Park and dock area
5:45–Boats begin gathering around Percival Landing in preparation for the parade
5:50(ish)–Brief welcome announcement by local dignitaries including ODA, WSECU and Santa Claus and a countdown to lighting of the Port Plaza Tower
6:00–Tower lit and boats begin to pass judges boat located at the Port Plaza dock
The theme for the decorated boat parade is Candy Cane Currents and prizes will be awarded for the best decorated boats. The prize categories this year are: Best Sailboat, Best Powerboat, Best of Theme, and Grand Illusion (Judge’s Choice).
While the OYC sponsors the Lighted Ships Parade, it is open to any South Sound decorated boat. Boaters who wish to participate in the parade are welcome and should register and pick up their parade packet at Olympia Yacht Club, 201 Simmons St. on Friday December 2 between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. A class on how to decorate boats with holiday lights was held in mid-November.
The Olympia Yacht Club Lighted Ships Parade has been a popular Olympia event as long as anyone can remember. Its origins go back to at least the 1960’s. With the generous support of the Olympia Downtown Association (ODA), WSECU, Santa & Mrs. Claus and the local carolers it will be an even more memorable event this year. Please grab your kids, dressed for the weather and gather together to see the 2016 Lighted Ships Parade.
