When the Mighty Potomac becomes a Parade of Lights

Photo by Gale Curcio/Local Kicks<br /> <br />Guests enjoy the party about Miss Mallory.

Photo by Gale Curcio/Local Kicks
Guests enjoy the party about Miss Mallory.

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - Forty colorful and brightly lit boats participated in the 12th Annual Holiday Boat Parade of Lights earlier this month.

Cruising down the Potomac River, they passed crowds that packed waterfront parks and the docks behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center to see boats compete in over a dozen categories. Several of those viewers were aboard Miss Mallory, part of the Potomac Riverboat Company fleet, for Charlotte Hall’s annual viewing party.

Photo Courtesy of the ACVA<br /> <br />Boats parade down the river in view of the Capitol.

Photo Courtesy of the ACVA
Boats parade down the river in view of
the Capitol.

The parade was emceed by WTOP’s Man About Town Bob Madigan and judged by Jody Manor of Bittersweet Café & Catering, Dee Beresford of the Old Dominion Boat Club and Nancy Belmont of Belmont, Inc. and co-founder of Imagine Alexandria.

Festivities began at the Alexandria City Marina behind the Torpedo Factory Art Center prior to the parade. Santa arrived by fireboat to take free photos with kids and canines, and revelers enjoyed live performances by the Braddock Brass Quintet and the Langley "Saxon" Dance Team from Langley High School in McLean.

This year’s boat parade was produced by RedPeg Marketing in partnership with the Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association and the Washington Waterfront Association.

2011 Award Winners:

Best in Show: The Dugout Too
“Christmas Gone Wild” (Creatures of the North Pole)
Captain Alan Glascock

Most Animated: Crowe’s Nest
“Santa & Weiber the Whale” (Sailboat)
Captain Tom Crowe

Photo Courtesy of the ACVA<br /> <br />Motor boat

Photo Courtesy of the ACVA
Motor boat

Best Sailboat: Latitude Adjustment
“SEAS-ons Greetings” (Large wreath and snowglobe)
Captain Mark Silcox

Best Powerboat: Hi C’s
“Find your way home for the holidays”
Captain Larry Chandler

Best Holiday Cheer: Devil Juice
“Winter Wonderland” (White lights and wreaths)
Captain Scott Cataline

Thinking Outside the Christmas Box:Clandestine
“Surfing Santa”
Captain Laura Sa

Hardiest Soul: Iron Manta
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (With Whoville and Mount Crumpit)
Captain Shayne Kondor

Best Theme: Cyganka
“A Tiki Christmas” (Sailboat)
Captain Dan Parilla

Heritage Award: Next Step Up
“Wonderful time of year” (Blue and white ice)
Captain Scott Akers

By Gale Curcio<br /> <br />One of the larger participants in the parade.

By Gale Curcio
One of the larger participants in the parade.

Most Spirited: Act of Grace
Captain Walter Weiss

Best Spirit of America:Inappropriate
“Patriotic”
Captain Brian Rotchford

Best Try: Becky Lynn
“Star Light, Star Bright”
Captain Brandon Bowers

Honorable Mention: Kayla Jane
“Spirit of Christmas” (Flags, stars, and lights)
Captain Mike Cusumano