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During the holidays, Tempe Town Lake glows and twinkles as boats float past spectators during the Fantasy of Lights boat parade. This year’s parade is Saturday, Dec. 9.
Kim DeMeritt, event operations manager for Downtown Tempe Authority, said the parade has become a community tradition.
“It’s my hope that they enjoy this unique way to celebrate the holidays. You don’t see a boat parade every day, especially where all of the boats are lit up with holiday decorations,” DeMeritt said.
DeMeritt said the parade will have about 45 motorized and human-powered boats.
Started in 1999, the event originally celebrated a renovation of Tempe Beach Park and the completion of Tempe Town Lake, a 2-mile-long reservoir.
DeMeritt first attended the parade years ago with her family.
“The first year I heard about it, I was surprised to hear about a boat parade in the desert, and then at the same time in awe of seeing all of these really large boats that you don’t see every day. Now, it’s become a tradition for my family to attend,” DeMeritt said.
Along with boat owners, groups such as the Arizona Gila Dragonsdragon boat team regularly take part in the parade. Dragon boats are propelled by paddles and decorated with dragon heads. Dragon-boat racing originated in China.
Since its inception, the boat parade has expanded with the addition of vendors, entertainment, police and fire truck displays and food trucks.
DeMeritt said the additions enhance the experience for visitors.
“Knowing that people will come early to get their spots to watch the parade, we tried to just make it an enjoyable time the whole time they are here versus just the period of the parade,” she said.
Before the parade starts, spectators can watch performances by local music and dance groups including the 76th Street indie pop duo, the Cesar Chavez Choir, the Trevor G. Browne Dance Team and musician Joey Unami.
As part of a special version of Tempe’s weekly 6th Street Market, about 45 vendors will sell handmade items such as paintings, cosmetics and jewelry.
During the parade, boats start at the Tempe Town Lake Marina, move west along the south shore of the lake, head north after reaching Tempe Beach Park and then travel east along the north shore.
Santa rides in the last boat and stays after to take pictures with children in the “Selfies with Santa” booth.
Fireworks and music by the 2Tone Lizard Kings ska band also follow the parade.
Leading up to the event, many owners spend time and resources getting their boats ready.
Past participants have decorated their boats in themes including A Christmas Story, The Polar Express, Minions, Up and North Pole.
One of this year’s boats will have a “Winter Is Coming” Game of Thrones theme, complete with a 30-foot, custom-made dragon.
Operators of the top boats can win $1,500 for first place and 1,000 for second place. The person or group with the best human-powered boat will take away a $500 prize.
Some families have made the boat parade part of their holiday tradition. Although unable to attend this year, Evan Rogers and his family have taken part in the parade for 10 years.
The Tempe family regularly visits the park to kayak, paddle boat, jog and play sports. They started participating in the parade right after they purchased a boat. Almost every year, Rogers, his wife, four children and neighbors or relatives ride together in the parade.
“We load up the hot chocolate, cookies and goodies and I crank the Christmas tunes. We pile as many kids as we can on, crank the music and the kids love it. They are like a celebrity waving to the crowd,” Rogers said.
The family decorates their boat in about 5,000 lights. The children, who are 14, 11, 7 and 3, have grown up with the parade. Rogers said his family looks forward to the parade.
“Where else can you launch your boat in the middle of a city in December with your kids and have people coming out in droves, waving at you and watch fireworks on a lake?,” Rogers said.
Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade
When: 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.
Where: Tempe Beach Park, at Rio Salad Parkway and Mill Avenue.
Admission: Free.
Details: downtowntempe.com/events/boat-parade.
MORE THINGS TO DO:
Where to see holiday lights in Phoenix this season
Photos: Christmas through the years
25 biggest, upcoming top events in Phoenix
Best holiday parties in Phoenix in December
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