By Katie Hurley
It’s time for the Olympia Yacht Club’s annual “Parade of Lighted Ships”. For many, holiday celebrations are scheduled just so they can view the festive lights with their friends and relatives. This year’s parade will feature 25-35 boats decorated in the parade’s theme of “Christmas Toys” and will take place twice: Wednesday, December 5 and Saturday, December 8, both starting at 6 pm.
Views of the lighted ships are equally spectacular from the shore or afloat. Bayview Thriftway is the perfect place to pick up supplies on your way to view the parade.
If you’re viewing from the shore, Bayview’s Deli has some warm and toasty dinner options that will ward off the December chill. Three different varieties of handcrafted Chilean empanadas are featured in the deli case. These hearty pastries are filled to the brim with a variety of meat, vegetables and beans and are large enough to share.
If you like seafood, don’t miss the large crock of steaming hot cioppino in the seafood department. This rich, tomato-based seafood soup is the perfect way to stay warm on a cold night. Three different sizes of bowls and a basket of crackers are next to the soup, or you can pick up a fresh roll or bagel in the bakery for heartier dipping.
In the produce department, resealable bags of “Apples to Go” are available in multiple sizes. These sulfite-free, preservative-free slices are fresh and crunchy and make an easy addition to an impromptu picnic dinner.
What holiday celebration would be complete without dessert? Bayview has many options if you’re looking for a portable dessert. Cakeheads Whoopie Pies are filled with a divine, creamy filling, individually wrapped and come in fantastic flavors like Butter Pecan, Pumpkin Cream Cheese, Red Velvet, Limoncello, Chocolate and Coconut Cream. For ice cream lovers, many varieties of Olympic Mountain ice cream, gelato and sorbet flavors are available in the deli.
In Bayview’s lobby, Dancing Goats Espresso will be serving hot and cold beverages until 6 pm, and is featuring holiday classics like the eggnog latte, gingerbread latte, peppermint mocha and hot apple cider.
For a viewing party at sea, the Bayview Deli is a great place to start. Z Crackers are rustic, crispy crackers in flavors such as Garlic & Basil, Cayenne & Cumin or Kalamata Olive. Sturdy enough to dip or to spread toppings on, these crackers work well with many different cheeses. Rogue Creamery selections at Bayview include Pistol Point Chipotle, Smoky Blue and Morimoto Soba Ale Cheddar, which pairs perfectly with beer.
To dress up cheese and crackers, a dollop of Harvest Reserve Walnut Preserves will add a sweet and nutty twist. Almonds, dates and sliced pears or apples will round out a holiday cheese plate. For heartier fare, you can add some grilled Panini sandwiches – try a couple different varieties and cut them into small triangles.
Everything you need for holiday beverages is available at Bayview. You’ll find Egg Nog, R.W. Kundsen Cider& Spice, Hot Buttered Rum batter, as well as anything you would need to make them into cocktails. If you prefer wine or beer, there is a very nice selection of both.
McTavish Peppermint Shortbread cookies with chocolate chips are a festive holiday dessert, made even better when served with a little bowl of Stonewall Kitchens’ Chocolate Peppermint Sauce to dip the cookies. For a quick and simple sweet bite, Bayview has a great selection of fine chocolate bars. Enjoy a Theo Organic Fair Trade Cherry & Almond Dark Chocolate Bar, broken into chunks and served straight out of the open wrapper. If you’re feeding a crowd, offer a simple chocolate tasting by breaking up a few different varieties of Theo chocolate bars and letting your guests sample them all and compare.
Whether afloat or ashore, if you’re making The Parade of Lighted Ships part of your holiday traditions, Bayview offers everything you need for a warm-up or a feast!
516 4th Ave East
Olympia, WA 98506
