The glimmer of the 30th annual Lighted Boat Parade on Dec. 5 will draw hundreds of revelers to the shores of the Ogeechee River.
Besides the parade, they’ll enjoy food, drinks, music and fireworks.
Vessels launch from Fort McAllister Marina’s Fish Tales restaurant.
At 4:30 p.m., festivities will begin at the dockside eatery, where families can take advantage of free photos with Santa until 7 p.m. Live music by Luke Lander will follow at 5. Boats will leave the dock to line up for departure. At 6, the procession begins.
After the parade, judges will decide the most impressive entries, and prizes will be awarded from 7-
7:30 p.m. Trophies will go to the first-, second- and third-place winners, who will receive gift certificates for $100, $50 and $25. In addition, the parade’s ugliest boat will get the “Charlie Brown Award.”
The decorated vessels won’t be the only things glowing against the South Georgia sky. Next, Fort McAllister visitors will be treated to a fireworks display provided by Fish Tales’ owners, the Broome family, who have invested $8,000 to celebrate the 30th anniversary.
The music ends at 8:30 p.m., but guests are encouraged to continue the evening at Fish Tales, where the dining area will be open as usual. In addition, beverage tents will be set up on both sides of the property. Coolers are not permitted. Lawn chairs are encouraged.
Fish Tales Manager Zach Broome is coordinating festivities. He said there will also be prize giveaways and children’s activities.
“We will more than likely do some other fun things for kids, but we’re still finalizing the details” Broome said. “Also, we’ll have a toy drive set up to help children in foster care in the Savannah area.
“The community has always been supportive of the parade and our events, and we’re just looking to give something back to those in need.”
Parade registration is free and includes hoist, overnight dockage and a $25 gift certificate for early registration, which ends Wednes. For more information or to register for the parade, call 912-727-3473 or email tcobevents@gmail.com. For more information about Fish Tales, go to www.fishtalesrh.com and like the restaurant on Facebook.