Boats prepare to pass under the Walnut Street Bridge in the annual Lighted Boat Parade on Friday in Chattanooga.Most came for the reflective lights. Some for the holiday songs. Others, to bid one last hurrah to autumn and embrace the start of winter weather.
Whatever floats your boat.
Several thousand festive Chattanoogans gathered downtown Friday night after their Thanksgiving and shopping schedules to observe the city’s annual Lighted Boat Parade along the Tennessee River.
Sailors of 40 boats decorated their crafts in Christmas lights and ornaments to make the Scenic City riverfront glow. The ships officially started their voyage at 6:54 p.m. — but a special crewman dressed as Santa Claus crossed under the Walnut Street Bridge at exactly 7 p.m.
“I see him, I see him,” Tyler Belford, 8, shouted down to the man in red. “Don’t fall in, Santa!”