It started as an impromptu game to see which of the frequently returning boats at Bitter End Yacht Club could light up their decks the best. Now, it’s a parade of decorated boats.
“We’ve been doing it as long as I can remember,” said Delores Creque, BEYC’s human resources director. “It’s lots of fun. Everybody looks forward to it.”
Christmas Eve at BEYC usually sees a full harbour for the event, and there’s a contest for the best-decorated boat, she said.
Since the event became official 11 years ago, boats generally deck their decks with lights and inflatable decorations. Plus, there’s usually at least one steel pan band, along with the parade’s popular Santa Claus, said John Glynn, BEYC’s vice president of North American sales.
The parade is scheduled to start at 5:45 p.m. at the head of the BEYC channel and end near the BE pool.
As the event has grown more popular, it’s been more of a challenge to accommodate larger boats for the parade, so an anchored yacht category was recently added to the contest, Mr. Glynn said.