Elvis and the Griswalds Among Winning Boats in the 2018 Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Alexandria, VA – More than 50 boats registered to compete for prizes in nearly a dozen categories at the 19th Annual Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 1, 2018.
D.C. media personality Tommy McFly of TommyShow.com and NBC4 served as the parade announcer, engaging with crowds of locals and visitors who came out in wet weather to experience one of the region’s most beloved holiday traditions at Alexandria’s historic waterfront. The mile-long parade was led by Alexandria’ fireboat Vigilant and Washington, D.C.’s fireboat John Glenn.
Best of Alexandria Show was awarded to Letter of Marque, led by Captain Walter Weiss, with the theme “Hanukkah, the festival of lights.” Best Powerboat went to Iechyd Da! and Captain Larry Chandler for “A Bohemian Rhapsody Holiday.” Best Sailboat was awarded to Dark Star and Captain Doug Savage who presented “Little Drummer Boy and Friends.” Other notable entries include Most Holiday Cheer winner Reva D, led by Captain Rich Hart, for “The Griswalds” theme including a station wagon in lights, and Thinking Outside the Christmas Box winner Firefly, led by Captain Dave Easter, for their “Jingle Bones”-themed sailboat. Find the complete list of winners below.
2018 Winners
-
Best of Alexandria Show: Letter of Marque, Captain Walter Weiss, “Hanukkah, the festival of lights” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Best Powerboat: Iechyd Da!, Captain Larry Chandler, “A Bohemian Rhapsody Holiday” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Best Sailboat: Dark Star, Captain Doug Savage, “Little Drummer Boy and Friends” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Best Spirit of America: Mental Recession, Captain Seth Frankel, “Caps Caps Caps” celebrating Stanley Cup champions the Washington Capitals (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Thinking Outside the Christmas Box: Firefly, Captain Dave Easter, “Jingle Bones” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Most Animated: Kairos, Captains Michael Bradford and Tipper Williams Bradford, “Kairos Christmas on the Potomac” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Most Holiday Cheer: Reva D, Captain Rich Hart, “The Griswalds” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Most Spirited Crew: Blown Away, Captain Mike Moreau, “Nightmare Before Christmas” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Best Theme: Fuelin Around, Captain Jack Stoddard, “Christmas Cheer” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Hardiest Soul: O’Sea Dee, Captain Wil Neubauer, “A Blue Christmas” with Elvis impersonator (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria) 
Best Try: Nelson, Captain Hank Hart, “Starry Night, Winter Lights” (Photo by Evan Michio for Visit Alexandria)
The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights was named a Top 10 Best Holiday Parade by the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards in 2017 and is part of Alexandria’s biggest holiday weekend, which also features the events of the Campagna Center’s Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.
The boat parade celebration included activities at the Alexandria City Marina. Parade-goers enjoyed a pop-up beer garden from Port City Brewing Company featuring their popular seasonal Tidings Ale, a pop-up Vola’s Dockside Grill, and giveaways from Lyft, which also offered 20% off rides to the Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights. Dolci Gelati warmed the crowd with a hot chocolate bar while paper goods boutique Penny Post presented a Letters to Santa postcard pop-up and AR Workshop Alexandria hosted a DIY holiday wood ornament craft activity.
