Lower Columbia Christmas Boats, New Years Day, Willow Grove Park, Longview WA

The 3rd annual Lower Columbia Christmas Boat parade is scheduled for New Year's Eve, Thursday, December 31st in Rainier and Friday, New Year's night, January 1st, down Fisher Slough and in front of Willow Grove. 
On New Year's Eve, the decorated vessels will depart the Rainier public dock around 5:30pm. The actual parade will start at 6PM and proceed upriver to the mooring buoy then circle downriver to the Rainier Park and Senior Center. Security and safety assistance are provided by Columbia County and Cowlitz County Sheriff Marine patrol boats.  
On New Year's Day, the Port of Longview will keep Willow Grove Park open for viewing the Christmas Boat parade in front of Willow Grove. The parade route departs Longview Yacht Club at 5:30pm and parades down Fisher Slough, reaching Willow Grove park around 6:15pm. The fleet will make multiple loops in front of the park before proceeding down river to the homes on Taylor Sands Rd and finally returning to Longview Yacht Club.
Last year, boats from Portland Christmas Ships, Dolphin Yacht Club (Festival of Lighted Boats) and Longview Yacht Club combined into a wonderful parade for both the Rainier night and the Willow Grove night. The privately owned vessels come from Portland, Vancouver, Longview, Salem and Camas. All parade participants volunteer their boats, decorations, fuel, and time and are excited to give back to the community. Some members of our parade have been doing Christmas Ships for over 35 years.
This event happens after the Christmas bustle and this year is welcoming in the New Year with joy and hope. The ship captains love coming to the Longview area and enjoy the beautiful Lower Columbia scenery.
Additional information and pictures can be seen on Facebook @ CBLYC1932, Christmas Boats LYC. Contact us at [email protected].
Organizers Kat Pettersen and Tom Meek appreciate the excitement and support shown by the Port of Longview and the City of Rainier. Parade leaders Pete and Kat Pettersen are fifth year Portland Christmas Ship participants. Tom Meek, 2020 Longview Yacht Club Commodore and a Christmas Skipper, is also a member of the Port of Longview Willow Grove Park Advisory Committee and has been working with the Port to open Willow Grove Park for the public to enjoy this event. 
We would like to remind everyone that social distancing and other methods to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19 should be followed when watching the parade. Please be safe and courteous to your fellow community members. We want you all to be healthy and safe.

Others Details

Category: Community | Parades Time: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm