Eastport Lights Parade: Last Day To Vote For Best Parade In US

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Monday is the last day to vote for the annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade, which was named USA Today's Best Holiday Parade last year. The event is in the running again to hold onto its national title, but had slid to fifth place as of late November; organizers took down the leaderboard last week to keep fans in suspense. You can vote daily to help Annapolis hold onto its crown.

Every year on the second Saturday in December, Annapolis Harbor is filled with boats illuminated with thousands of colored lights in the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade. Families and friends gather at their favorite viewing spots along the waterfront to see the yearly spectacle, with themes ranging from "Polar Express" to "Star Wars" and a fishing Santa.

This year's yacht parade will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Annapolis Harbor and Spa Creek above the Spa Creek Bridge. Registration is open to take part in the parade.

The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade has been nominated as one of USA Today's Best Holiday Parades; vote here daily through Dec. 4 to help Eastport win. Other contenders include: the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, the Mayor's Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore, America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and other heavy-hitters. The Reston Holiday Parade in Reston, Virginia, and the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights in Alexandria, VA, are also among the contenders.

In first place so far is Philadelphia, followed by Detroit's Thanksgiving parade, Baltimore's parade, the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade in Charlotte and the Eastport Lights Parade.

Here's what USA Today has to say about the holiday bragging rights:

These 20 holiday parades, nominated by the 10Best editors as the best in the U.S., bring holiday cheer in the form of festive floats, dancing elves, Santa and his sleigh and millions of twinkling lights. Which holiday parade do you look forward to the most? Cast your ballot once per day until voting ends on Monday, December 4 at noon ET. The top 10 winning events, determined by your vote, will be announced on Friday, December 8. Read the official Readers' Choice rules here.

This year marks the 35th annual Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade. Here's what the club says about its title and the upcoming parade:

"We're #1! Thanks to all who voted in the 2016 USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice contest for Best Holiday Parade! Every year on the second Saturday in December, magic happens on the water of the Annapolis Harbor—boats suddenly appear out of the cold winter night illuminated with thousands of colored lights and crewed by jolly revelers. Families and friends gather at their favorite viewing spots along the waterfront to see this yearly spectacle and to celebrate the holiday season together. The Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade is one of Annapolis’ signature events and we invite you to join us as a participant in the parade or as a spectator cheering on the decorated boats and their crews."

Parade Viewing Information

Dress Warmly: Comfort over style. It's amazing how cold it can get when you stand in one spot for a couple of hours. Remember, there will be two fleets changing positions every hour or so. Don't leave just because the boats seem to.

Radio: WNAV Radio 1430 will provide live coverage of the parade with roving reporters from 6 to 8 p.m. and will report on the winners at 10 p.m. Winners also will be announced over marine radio Channel 72 at 10 p.m.

Where to Watch the Parade:

Eastport Bridge: If it's a warm or still night, this is the best vantage point. You can see the fleets both above and below the bridge and get a close-up look as they pass through the bridge. Note: The bridge will be closed to vehicles but open before the parade, at 6:45 and again at 7:45 p.m.
Naval Academy: The length of seawall bordering Spa Creek offers a long, unobstructed viewing area. Check ahead for Naval Academy security regulations that will be in effect.
City Dock: This is a perennial favorite spot for viewers where there is the choice of watching the boats collectively as they parade in the harbor or individually as they negotiate Ego Alley. The Alley spot offers the closest possible look at the decorations as well as the chicken wire and PVC pipe that support them.
Harbor Queen: One fine vantage point at City Dock will be Watermark's Harbor Queen, moored at the end of the dock and conducting the "Queen of All Food Drives" during the parade. Bring a bag of non-perishable food, pet food items, or a cash donation ($10 recommended) and you'll be welcomed aboard. Beverages and snacks available for purchase and proceeds benefit the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.
EYC Lights Parade Dinner & Cruise aboard Catherine Marie: Start with dinner at the Severn Inn, then board Catherine Marie for dessert and champagne to view the parade. Price includes dinner and cruise plus dessert on board. $145/person (this event usually sells out). For more information on public boat events EYC Lights Parade viewing, visit CruisesOnTheBay.com.
Other Spots: If you have friends with offices, homes, or boats along the harbor, this might be a nice time to renew acquaintances. Otherwise, the walkway in front of Annapolis City Marina in Eastport, or any of the streets that dead-end at the harbor or Spa Creek are good spots to view the parade.
1. Market, Shipwright & Revel Streets
2. Acton Cove
3. Southgate, Taney & Cheston Avenues
4. Lafayette Park
5. Monticello Avenue
6. Primrose Rd. (Truxton Park)
7. Burnside Street
8. Fourth Street
9. Third Street
10. Second Street
11. First Street

A Note on Parking

The parking site for this year's parade will be the garage at Park Place, 100 Westgate Circle. There will be signs on Rowe Boulevard and Taylor Avenue directing visitors to the garage. The Free City Shuttle will circulate every ten minutes from Park Place to downtown and from there back to Park Place until 2:30 AM. The Shuttle can be hailed anywhere along the route.

The EYC Clubhouse will be open only to EYC members, their families, and invited/accompanied guests.
You can watch the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade anywhere around the world on any mobile device or HD TV set via livestream.

Photos courtesy of Eastport Yacht Club, used with permission