Newport's Illuminated Boat Parade Set For Black Friday

NEWPORT, RI—By land and by sea, the harbor is lighting up Friday to launch the holiday season in Newport. The illuminated boat parade leaves from the Newport Yacht Club (after the rendezvous at points just south of the Goat Island Causeway) at 6:15 p.m. The tradition is in its twenty-first year. Tugs, Coast Guard and Navy boats as well as pleasure boats and fishing boats are coming.

According to Tim Mill, harbormaster, spectators can watch "from the Newport Yacht Club (open to the public for the event), Perrotti Park, Bowen’s Wharf, Bannister’s Wharf, and points around Newport Harbor."

The parade route goes south along the downtown waterfront and then back to causeway. Dick Cromwell, owner of Maritime Solutions Inc. and Freedom Boat Club of RI, is parade marshal.

Prizes go to the best decorated boats as well as to the best decorated landlubber's porch or dock.

The event is free, but people are asked to bring a can of food or non- perishable food item for the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. The donation box is inside the Newport Yacht Club.

Photo Credit: Onne van der Wal