Lighted Boat Parade

The Bellingham Yacht Club will be kicking off the holidays in style with the traditional Lighted Boat Parade on December 4, 2021 starting at 5:30 pm, weather permitting. The public is invited to view the boats parading by in their festive holiday lights with the best views from Boulevard Park and the Fairhaven Cruise Terminal. Boat participation is open to all boaters and members of other boating organizations, including Bellingham Wheel and Keel, Bellingham Sail and Power Squadron, and the Corinthian and Squalicum Yacht Clubs participate.

Kevin Schwitter, Commodore added, “We consider the Lighted Boat Parade to be the boating community’s holiday card to the entire Bellingham community. It is great to see all the spectators on shore appreciating the parade and having this holiday tradition to look forward to.”

For those new to the parade or who need a refresher on safety measures and the mechanics of “how to” light your boat, Past Commodore Steve Ross will do a presentation explaining the steps needed for a fun evening. “It can be a bit intimidating to decorate a boat for the first time, so we designed this presentation to demystify both the decorating process as well as to stress the safety measures advised for operating your boat in the dark,” he added.

Covid permitting, there will be holiday festivities at the Bellingham Yacht Club for members, guests and non-member participants with music and food following the parade. Fleet Captain Rich Sandeen is also looking forward: “As we close out 2021, we are already planning cruises, races and regattas, youth programs and many social activities for 2022. The Lighted Boat Parade celebrates the holidays toward the end of the year and inspires us to dream big about next year’s boating season,” he said. More information is available at https://byc.org/lighted-boat-parade