WATT A SIGHT!
Lighted Boat Parade
illuminates Newport’s
Yaquina Bay
By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN
For the TODAY
Front page photo by Arjen Sundman
his fall US Coast Guard crew
aboard the rescue vessel Victory lit
up the lives of crew members aboard
a stuck commercial fishing boat, stranded
116 miles west off the coast of Newport,
when they towed it safely back to harbor.
Barring any needs for rescue attempts on
Saturday, Dec. 7, this historic 57-foot boat
will join the 25th annual Lighted Boat
Parade along the historic Newport Bayfront.
“The Victory is the oldest vessel actively
serving in the coast guard and leads the
parade every year,” said event organizer Fran
Mathews, owner of Marine Discovery Tours.
“It would be unfortunate if they are called
to duty during the event, but it would be
pretty cool to be rescued by a boat covered in
lights, especially if Santa Claus is on board.”
The parade takes place from 5 to 6:30
pm, as floating holiday displays depart from
various docks along the Bayfront then take
a leisurely lap around the bay between the
Coast Guard Station and the Embarcadero
Resort.
The variety of watercraft each year has
included sport fishing boats, research vessels,
sailboats, sea kayaks and even surfboards.
“Last-minute entries are always very
welcomed,” Mathews said “As long as you
put some sparkly lights on your vessel, you
can be part of the parade.”
Though plenty of free viewing
opportunities abound, the best are aboard:
“There is free viewing from the
piers along the shoreline or in the
many restaurants along the Bayfront,”
Mathews said “Of course, my favorite
recommendation is to buy tickets, bundle up
and ride on one of the decorated boats; it’s
so much fun!”
Fran and her husband, the late Captain
Don Mathews, started the event in 1994
as a fun way to showcase boats from their
harbor, get to know their nautical neighbors
and raise funds to help fill needs in the
T
community. They’ve been enthusiastically
joined by the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club,
Newport Tradewinds and a variety of
boating teams through the years.
“It’s a feel-good event for the boating
community,” Mathews said. “We help raise
funds to benefit our Samaritan Pacific
Communities Hospital and also help fill the
shops and restaurants along the Bayfront
during the off season.”
To date, Marine Discovery Tours has
donated more than $40,000 raised from
boaters’ registration fees and guest ticket
sales.
This year, the fundraising team has
partnered with Thompson’s Sanitary Service
to support the local CAN Cancer program,
which helps cover non-medical living
expenses for people fighting all forms of
cancer.
Started by owners of a waste disposal
14 • oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • December 6, 2019
If You Go
The Lighted Boat Parade will start at dusk
on Saturday, Dec. 7. For more informa-
tion about Can Cancer or to make direct
donations, contact the Pacific Communi-
ties Health District Foundation at kclem@
samhealth.org or 541-574-4912.
company in Central Oregon, Can Cancer
recognizes the fact that many people
who are fighting cancer can rack up large
expenses that don’t have to do with the
actual treatment of the disease and are not
covered by health insurance. Funds can be
used to help with things like hotel stays
and gas costs, which many people on the
coast incur as they have to travel to different
medical facilities that provide different types
of care.
Marine Discovery Tours and Newport
Tradewinds currently have space available
for guests at $35 for adults and $15 for kids
aged four through 13 (children three and
under are free). Reservations include cookies
and cocoa.
Spaces go fast, so it’s a good idea to call
541-265-6200 or visit Marine Discovery
Tours at Anchor Pier, 345 SW Bay Blvd.,
on Newport’s Bayfront before 3 pm on
Saturday, Dec. 7.
After 25 years, Mathews is still ready for
a surprise at the event she co-created.
“There is a rumor of a brand-new stealth
holiday boat hopping in that we’re all
anticipating,” she said. “But as always I’m
prepared for a variety of decorating themes.
Over the years, this has included fireworks,
live music aboard boats and even Santa
surfing on a decorated surfboard.”