I’ve never lived anywhere with a boat parade, so it was really special for us on Saturday night to watch the Lighted Boat Parade in Solomons. Though it was cold, people lined the boardwalk and cheered at their favorites.
It only took about 25 minutes from the time it started for us to see the first boat arrive on the Patuxent side. Any boat no matter what make or size can participate, so there’s a lot of variety and it’s fun to see what people come up with. We saw simple outlines along the sails, inflatable Santa’s, Christmas trees, and penguins on icebergs.
The crowd favorites were the pirate ship that “shot canons” and the Polar Express train with music and singing, Santa Claus, and fireworks.
A highlight event during the Solomons Christmas Walk, the Lighted Boat Parade is held the first Saturday of December annually when weather allows. It begins at 6:15 at the Solomons Yachting Center, heads up Back Creek, then loops up the Patuxent River towards the bridge before returning to Solomons Harbor.
Since the route loops around, it’s easy to see the parade twice. Several people near us had done just that, watching the entire parade from the Back Creek side, then running over to the Patuxent to watch it again. Even in the cold, the kids loved seeing the boats lit up. Bring a thermos of cocoa for a fun, free outing or take advantage of one of the wonderful waterfront restaurants and cafes where you can stop for something warm or even watch the parade while you dine.
Free and family friendly, the annual boat parade is another tradition worth keeping. If you have a boat, it’s even another wonderful way to contribute to the fun and get into the spirit of the Christmas. The Solomons Lighted Boat Parade is sponsored by the Solomons Business Association, chaired by Vandy Young.
For more information on viewing the parade or entering your boat, go to the The Solomons Webpage closer to the event.
