2022 Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade Of Lights Winners Named

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Award winners of the 22nd annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights were announced Monday. Over 50 boats competed for awards in the event sponsored by Amazon along Alexandria's waterfront Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

Visit Alexandria, which hosted the parade along with the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade earlier that day, said thousands of spectators showed up to view the boat parade. The mile-long parade was visible from Founders Park to Ford's Landing Park. The parade was led by Alexandria fireboat Relief and Fireboat 2 from DC's fire department.

The Best of Alexandria Show award went to Dark Star and Captain Doug Savage for the "Charlie Brown Christmas" boat with costumed characters like Lucy, Linus and Snoopy dancing to the Charlie Brown theme song.

Here is the full list of winners with photos:

Best In Show: Dark Star, Captain Doug Savage, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”

Best Powerboat: Beer Hunter, Captain Chris Johnson, “Land Before Time”

Best Sailboat: Tuesday, Captain Joe Landa, “From Odessa with Love”

Thinking Outside the Christmas Box: Miss Behavin, Captain Kirt Barbee, “Have a Chesapeake Bay Crabby Christmas”

Most Holiday Cheer: Titan Rowing (Alexandria City High School), Captain Patrick Marquardt, “Holiday”

Best Spirit of America: Luthien, Captain John Newton, “Boy Scouting and Christmas”

Most Spirited Crew: Magical Knots, Captain Brian Dollinger, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”

Best Theme: Nauti Office, Captains Chelsie Bain, Greg Noble, Liz Cannon and Alex Kandalaft, “A Christmas Story”

Hardiest Soul: American Girl, Captain John Gaydos, “Potomac Sleigh Ride”

Best Movie or TV Theme: Moovin, Captain Tom Cordell, “Mario Bros”

Best Try: Consuelo, Captain David Robbins, “Bah, Hum BUG”

Along with parade viewing, visitors were invited to enjoy dockside festivities from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Alexandria City Marina. Activities included leather coaster-making and make-your-own gift wrap from Shop Made in Virginia, a Letters to Santa postcard station from Penny Post, holiday ornament craft activity from AR Workshop Alexandria, a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company, hot chocolate from Dolci Gelati, gourmet popcorn from America’s Favorite Gourmet Popcorn, holiday music from 97.1 WASH-FM, shortbread from Allens Scottish Shortbread, New York style pizza by the slice from RedRocks Old Town and food from Common Plate Hospitality restaurants Augie's, Mason Social and Urbano 116.

At 3:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by fireboat at the Alexandria City Marina before visiting the Holiday Festival at Torpedo Factory Art Center, which is from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Pre-parade activities were also held at Oronoco Bay Park and Canal Center, including music, artist vendors, food and drink options, interactive demonstrations and kids activities. Attendees could see boats starting to arrive at 4:30 p.m. and queue for the parade.

MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS: Waterskiing Santa, Parades: 2022 Holiday Events In Alexandria