Santa waves to the crowd from his chimney atop the John Glenn Jr., a DC fireboat. (photo: Artis Mooney)
The Annual Alexandria Holiday Parade of Lights drew hundreds of people to Alexandria’s marina and Potomac River shoreline Saturday evening for a festive and colorful welcome to the holiday season in Alexandria. With 45 brightly decorated leisure boats participating from marinas as far away as Quantico, the parade was beautiful in the misty evening.
“We want to thank our many local sponsors as well as the City of Alexandria’s marina staff for helping to make the Holiday Parade of Lights possible,” said Lorraine Lloyd, vice president of sales for the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association, which organizes and hosts the parade each year.
Corporate sponsors included Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company and Redpeg Marketing, who provided free pictures with Santa for the many children who came to visit with Saint Nick before the parade began. Providing entertainment before the parade were the Bells of Mount Vernon and the Braddock Brass Quintet, and helping with parade support were the Old Dominion Boat Club, Capital Yacht Club and National Potomac Yacht Club.
A special thanks also goes to emcee Bob Madigan, WTOP’s Man About Town, and Waterskiing Santa, both of whom are so much a part of the celebration each year.
Rudolph leads the way. (photo: Artis Mooney)
“We also want to thank everyone who generously donated toys for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program. Official drop off locations for toys are open until December 17 at the Alexandria City Marina, Crowne Plaza, Hilton Old Town, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Morrison House, Old Dominion Boat Club, and Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House.”
The 2009 Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company Alexandria Holiday Parade of Lights winners:
Best of Alexandria Show: Larry Chandler, Hi C’s – Capital Yacht Club
Best Powerboat: Alan Glascock, The Dugout Too – National Potomac Yacht Club
Best Sailboat: Dorothy Stocks, Liberty Belle – Sailing Club of Washington
Best Spirit of America: Jack Swayze, Desiderata – Gangplank Marina
Most Holiday Cheer: Bill Walker, Tuscarora – Quantico Yacht Club
Most Spirited Crew: David Hays, Big Blind – National Potomac Yacht Club
Best Theme: Rudy Noori, Soul Mate – Old Dominion Boat Club
Thinking Outside the Christmas Box: Matt Martelli, The Colonel’s Lady – Gangplank Marina
Hardiest Souls: John Mein, Viviendo El Sueno – Capital Yacht Club
Dorothy Stocks' Liberty Belle from Cape Dory won Best Sailboat with her Gingerbread Man & House. (photo: Artis Mooney)
Best Try: Sergy Kleyman, About Time – National Potomac Yacht Club
Most Animated: Brando Bowers, Becky Lynn – Seafarers Yacht Club
Honorable Mentions:
Chuck Bryant, Luv’n Life – Old Dominion Boat Club
Laura Sa, Audrey – Capital Yacht Club
Jeffry Horne, Lele Mai Kai – Quantico Yacht Club
10 Year Superstars:
Mark Akers, Frank Barlow and Chuck Bryant, who have participated every year
Alexandria’s holiday season continues with festive events throughout December, culminating in First Night Alexandria on New Year’s Eve. Visit www.HolidaysinAlexandria.com for a listing of seasonal events, downloadable retail and restaurant coupons, and hotel packages. The Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association is a public-private membership organization whose mission is to generate tourism and conventions that increase revenues and promote the City of Alexandria and its assets.
To view more pictures from this year’s Parade of Lights, or if you are one of the boat owners interested in getting pictures of your boat, visit www.BOUNDLESSphotoarts.com > SHOP, and find the gallery there.
