Excitement grows as The Wharf’s holiday boat parade nears

Residents can enjoy the view from a snow-dusted pier as the decorated boats sail down the Washington Channel in The Wharf’s annual boat parade.

The Wharf will host its 33^rd Annual Holiday Boat Parade and Party tonight. Activities, including s’more building, ornament decorating and visits with Santa, start at 5 p.m.

The boat parade will begin at 7 p.m., followed by an 8 p.m. fireworks show. Over 60 boats are expected to sail down the Channel.

Mike Egan, managing partner of Whitlows at The Wharf, said he’s very excited after participating in the boat parade last year.

The restaurant will be floating its Whitlows on Water 48-passenger tiki boat this year.

“We’ve got it decked out with some Christmas lights, and we’ll have our friends and family on there celebrating,” he said. “Last year, we won the most likely to capsize because we were getting after it out there.”

The restaurant is thrilled to have a bigger part in the celebration, Egan said. The restaurant first started displaying its holiday decorations Thanksgiving weekend.

Egan said he hopes for good cheer and great energy since Whitlows at The Wharf has a great vantage point for the fireworks show.

“I’m really excited to see all the customers come out in their best Christmas sweaters, and hats, and Buddy the Elf costumes,” he said. “Everyone kind of celebrates together to really get that Christmas spirit going.”

Mark Spicer, founder of Capitol Dough, said the donut trailer will be selling mini donuts that customers can decorate with various toppings.

Spicer said he is very confident his business will see increased demand because of its popularity at the Anthem Shop kiosk last year.

Capitol Dough’s trailer is open 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday.

“I’m excited to see all of the families down here,” Spicer said. “Just enjoying this beautiful place at The Wharf and seeing everybody in that holiday spirit.”

The Capitol Snow Christmas Tree Market sells tabletop trees, wreaths, eight-foot trees, lights, candles, and ornaments. It can be found facing The Wharf’s recreation pier.

The tree market opens at 9 a.m. and will close early at 6:30 p.m.

Virginia resident Sarah N’Guessan said it is important for The Wharf to host events like the parade since it brings the community together.

N’Guessan is staying at a hotel on The Wharf to easily attend the parade for what she describes as a staycation. The area is one of her favorite locations in the district, she said.

“I think it will be great,” she said. “I saw some signs for it at the hotel I’m staying at, so it looks like it’s going to be a popular event.”