Winners Named For Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade Of Lights: See Photos

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Over 50 boats got decorated in their holiday best for a holiday parade that only a place like Alexandria can put on. Winners have been announced for Visit Alexandria's 21st annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, held Saturday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. along the waterfront.

Boats were not only decorated for the delight of spectators along the Alexandria waterfront but for parade awards decided by judges. The Best of Alexandria Show award sponsored by Myron Mixon's Pitmaster BBQ was given to Santé and Captain Daniel Ricks for the "COEXIST" boat decked out with white lights and more than 40 colorful trees. The Best Powerboat award went to Kairos and Captain Tipper Williams Bradford for "Santa & His Cast of Characters" featuring lights, Santa and a cheerful crew in costumes. The Best Sailboat was awarded to Dark Star and Captain Doug Savage for "The Island of Misfit Toys" with twinkling lights and costumed toy characters.

Below are the Alexandria Holiday Boat of Lights winners.

Best of Alexandria Show sponsored by Myron Mixon's Pitmaster BBQ: Santé, Captain Daniel Ricks, "COEXIST"

Best Powerboat: Kairos, Captain Tipper Williams Bradford, "Santa & His Cast of Characters"

Best Sailboat: Dark Star, Captain Doug Savage, "The Island of Misfit Toys"

Thinking Outside the Christmas Box: Tuesday, Captain Joseph Landa, "Oompa Lumpa"

Most Holiday Cheer: Party of Five, Captain Alan Trombley, "Spooky Christmas"

Best Spirit of America: Aggie, Captain Tamara Collum, "NEW YEAR'S EVE COUNTDOWN PARTY"

Most Spirited Crew: D’Entanglement, Captain Dayon Harrison, "D’Entangled Christmas Wonderland"

Best Theme: Surprise, Captain Sarah Ollila, "X-mas Files"

Hardiest Soul: Miss Behavin, Captain Kirt Barbee, "Gillian Island"

Best Try: Knot Tide Down Captains Peter Furness & Rita Martin, "Jurassic Christmas"

The mile-long parade was led by Alexandria fireboat Relief and Washington, D.C.’s fireboat John H. Glenn and concluded with the Ever Vigilant Fire Boat 57 from the Prince George’s County Volunteer Marine Fire and Rescue Station 57. The boat parade was sponsored by Amazon and preceded by another parade earlier in day: the Campagna Center’s 50th Anniversary Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend and Parade. Boat parade participants then headed up to DC for the District's Holiday Boat Parade at 7 p.m.

In between the parade, dockside activities were held at Waterfront Park, including a Port City Brewing Company beer garden, holiday music and giveaways from 97.1 WASH-FM, Letters to Santa postcard station from Penny Post, holiday ornament craft activity from AR Workshop Alexandria, food from Mae’s Market and Café, gourmet popcorn from America’s Favorite Gourmet Popcorn and a hot chocolate bar from Dolci Gelati. Visitors could also see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by fireboat at the Alexandria City Marina around 3:30 p.m. for the Torpedo Factory Art Center Holiday Festival.