2008 Holiday Boat Parade of Ligh

7:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Captains’ & First Mates’ Kick-Off Reception & Parade Coordination Meeting

Complimentary wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres with live entertainment. 2008 Parade Welcome Bags! Staging and parade instructions will be presented. The Harbor Master and crew of the John Glenn Fireboat will be present to finalize logistics for the parade.

For safety & success of the parade, attendance is mandatory. Please make every effort to attend or send a crew member.

A Toys for Tots drop-off box will be available for donations of new, unwrapped toys.

Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7 , 2008. Limited complimentary slips are available in Alexandria and DC (through Sunday). Please submit your request with your registration. We will contact you with your slip assignments. Additional slips are available complimentary at National Harbor.Any changes made after December 4 must be directed to the appropriate dock master.

4:00 pm: Washington Channel Parade Board boats and begin staging. All boats participating in the Washington Channel will be staged off of Haines Point and must be in place no later than 4:15 pm. Boats will pass the viewing stands starboard side at Capital Yacht Club at 5pm SHARP. Judges will be identified with a Blue Strobe Light. Those participating in Alexandria only, must be in place no later than 5:30pm.

Upon passing the D.C. viewing stands (CYC) the flotilla will proceed to Alexandria.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Burke & Herbert Alexandria Parade Parade led by the Alexandria Fireboat Vigilant and the John Glenn. Judges will be on the Ms. Mallory docked at the T on the A/B pier (south of the Cherry Blossom before ODBC) and will be identified by a BLUE STROBE light. Bob Madigan will emcee again this year. Please forward a brief description of your boat and/or decorations to llloyd@funside.com. All boats must identify themselves when approaching the judges’ boat. You will also be given the opportunity to speak to the judges and spectators on the docks while passing the judges boat.

7:30pm to 10pm: Awards reception at the Waterfront Gourmet, Alexandria Waterfront

Awards, entertainment, light fare, reduced beer and wine prices and lots of fun!

4:00 pm: Festivities on the docks, Alexandria Marina to include Santa arriving by the Fireboat Vigilant with pictures for kids and canines, Alexandria Holiday Review and more.

If you are attending the awards party, you will need to reserve a slip in Alexandria. Slips are limited and are on a first-come first served basis. Please make every effort to attend, or send a representative. Please use the correct slip assigned to you

Radio channels: Radio channels are as follows: Parade control is channel 68. Harbor Police is 17. Captains are also asked to supply cell phone numbers as backup. If you are unable to attend, please send a representative. Each club should have an inter-club channel, so as not to interfere with the Parade Channel(s). EACH BOAT MUST IDENTIFY THEMSELVES UPON APPROACHING EACH JUDGING AREAS.

In addition to cash prizes, thousands of dollars in merchandise, elegant dinners, weekend stays, brunches, and more will be awarded for each parade by a separate set of judges and you are eligible to win in each parade that you participate in.

jUDGING cATAGORIES: aLEXANDRIA PARADE: bEST OF aLEXANDRIA sHOW, bEST pOWERBOAT, bEST sAILBOAT, BEST SPIRIT OF AMERICA, MOST SPIRITED CREW, BEST THEME, THINKING OUTSIDE THE CHRISTMAS BOX, hARDIEST SOULS, BEST TRY AND MOST ANIMATED. hONORABLE MENTIONS TOO! Look for additional information on The Washington Channel Judging.

Discounted gas is being offered for parade participants at James Creek and National Harbor. Each marina will receive a list of parade participants Please identify yourself to the attendant and he will verify your name against the participant list.

Make a Difference! In keeping with the season of giving, the 2008 Washington DC Holiday Boat Parade and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve believe that no child should go without this holiday season. That is why we have teamed together with Toys for Tots. For 57 years, Marines have been the unchallenged leaders in looking after needy children at Christmas.

Please bring your NEW, unwrapped toy for children from toddlers to seventeen year olds (no guns, knives or weapons, please) to any of the parade functions. Or mail your tax deductible check to: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, P.O. Box 1947, Quantico, Va 22134 Make check payable to: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation

2008 Holiday Boat Parade of Lights Weekend

Thursday, December 4, 2008