The 2025 East River Lighted Christmas Boat Parade, sponsored by the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6-8 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be moved to Sunday, Dec. 7.The parade will be led by MVFD Mathews Incident Response Team Captain John Raymond Bassett in the MVFD fire boat.
Parade organizers would like participating boats to gather near Poplar Grove on the East River by 5:30 p.m. The parade will begin at 6 p.m., proceeding north past Williams Wharf Landing toward Long Point. The procession will then turn back towards Williams Wharf. Boats will then remain in place for a short time so families can view them up close.A Best in Show award will be presented by Chief Ronnie Lewis. Participants are encouraged to decorate with as many holiday lights as possible. Boat owners wishing to participate are asked to contact Donnie Wayne Owens at 757-813-0026 or by Facebook messenger to the MVFD.
The public is invited to watch the para...