The Newport Illuminated Boat Parade returns to Newport Harbor on Friday, Nov. 27, at 6 p.m., hosted by the Newport Yacht Club.
Decorated vessels will gather south of the Goat Island Causeway and head east, passing the Newport Yacht Club, where judges will be stationed, then continuing past Perrotti Park and Bowen’s and Bannister’s wharves before completing the harbor loop back at the causeway.
Viewing is free. The club recommends Bowen’s Wharf, Bannister’s Wharf and the Newport Yacht Club as the best vantage points.
Spectators are asked to bring a non-perishable food donation for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center. A donation box will be at the yacht club.
Boats compete for first, second and third place in Best in Show, along with the Tim Mills Team Spirit Award — named for the former harbormaster and given to the boat that best embodies community and camaraderie. The awards ceremony follows at the Newport Yacht Club at 7:30 p.m.
The parade was founded by then-Harbormaster Jake Farrell and has become an unofficial start to the holiday season in Newport.
“This annual gathering perfectly reflects our club’s core mission to promote a welcoming environment for families with shared interests in yachting, traditions, seamanship, and camaraderie,” said Kyle Lepley, the yacht club’s commodore. “We hope everyone will come out, ‘bundle up,’ and join us for this fun holiday celebration.”
Boat owners, businesses and organizations that want to enter must register online by noon on Thursday, Nov. 26. In the event of bad weather, the parade moves to Saturday, Nov. 28.
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