By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
Downtown Washington on the Waterfront is recruiting vessels to participate in the seventh-annual Washington Christmas Flotilla.
The event, featuring the parade of boats on the Pamlico River off the Washington waterfront and the arrival of Santa Claus on his yacht, is scheduled for Dec. 5. Kim Williams, part owner of the local Sea Tow operation, is chairwoman of the Christmas Flotilla.
Boat captains are signing up their boats for the flotilla, according to Williams. There is no fee to participate in the flotilla. Interested parties should register early because participation in the flotilla is limited to a specific number of boats.
Last year, 21 boats decorated with about 10,000 lights participated in the flotilla, according to DWOW.
“That’s the thing we need, for the boaters to sign up,” said George Fields, a DWOW volunteer, in a brief interview Thursday.
Prizes will be awarded to the most-original entry in the power division and the most-original entry in the sail division, along with prizes going to the boat deemed as most festive in each of those divisions. This year, for the first time, there will be a category for boats less than 22 feet long.
A reception for captains of boats entered in the flotilla will be held Dec. 3 at Park Boat Co. Free overnight dockage for vessels participating in the flotilla is provided by the city of Washington.
As a prelude to the flotilla, a quartet will lead flotilla-goers in singing Christmas carols and holiday songs, Fields said. Nonprofit groups, probably two of them, will provide coffee, hot chocolate and an assortment of food to help keep attendees warm, he said.
Details regarding the flotilla and related events continue to be worked out, Fields noted.
As in past years, Toys for Tots will be the lead charity for the event. Toys for Tots donation boxes have been set up in 24 locations in Beaufort County. Unwrapped toys should be placed in the boxes. Members of the Marine Corps will be at the flotilla to accept the donated toys.
Last year, the Toys for Tots drive in Beaufort County resulted in more than 1,000 needy children receiving toys.
The Pamlico Sail &Power Squadron, a unit of the U.S. Power Squadron, will oversee flotilla operations to ensure safety.
Anyone interested in participating in the flotilla may download an application and instructions at www.washingtononthewater.com. Applications and instructions may be picked up at the DWOW office, located in the Municipal Building, 102 E. Second St., Washington. For more information about the event, call 252-946-3969.