A parade of lighted boats motoring down the Tennessee River on the night after Thanksgiving has been a Chattanooga tradition for decades. This year will be no different.
The Weekly Fig, a local business, will keep the tradition alive by hosting Holiday Cheer at the Pier on Friday, Nov. 23, at Ross's Landing, 151 Riverfront Parkway, from 4 to 9 p.m. Partnering with the company will be Erwin Marine Riverfront and the Southern Belle.
Christina Thongnopnua, event coordinator, says the holiday party has expanded this year with the addition of The North Pole, where guests will find Santa and a "workshop" holding more than 60 area food and crafts vendors.
Thongnopnua says there will be a scavenger hunt as well as free children's activities hosted by area nonprofits and small businesses in an area called Reindeer Games.
"This year we are offering the 'most festive' awards: The Topside Tinsel Award for the most festive boat, Reindeer Games Award for most festive children's booth and Deck the Hall Award for the most festive vendor," she says. Winners will receive gift baskets filled with goodies from local vendors and businesses.
Eat, drink and be merry. Food trucks and food tents will be on-site and Bitter Alibi will serve hot mulled wine for big kids over 21.
Boaters planning to participate in the parade should begin lining up at 4:30 p.m. at Maclellan Island for the parade at dusk. Thongnopnua says the party will close with a bang: a fireworks finale concluding with the lighting of the Market Street Bridge's lights at 9 p.m.
Get a front-row seat in the middle of the action by booking passage on the Southern Belle's cruise that night. The riverboat leaves the dock at 7 p.m. Tickets are $49.95 per adult, which includes dinner.
To make a reservation: 423-285-6841.