Take that, Covid! Gig Harbor’s holiday boat parade is NOT canceled.

It’s been a grim few months for community events, with one after another canceled because of the coronavirus epidemic.

But here’s a glimmer of good news — the Gig Harbor Lighted Boat Parade is on.

The annual holiday parade, sponsored by the Gig Harbor Yacht Club, will take place on Saturday, December 12th , beginning at 5:00 P.M. A long line of brightly decorated boats, including fishing vessels, pleasure boats and kayaks, will parade twice around the harbor.

John Sasser, committee chair for the event, said the yacht club received permission for the parade from the city last week.

All area boaters are very welcome to sail in the parade, Sasser said, whether they are members of the Gig Harbor Yacht Club or not. Skippers can sign up to receive details or more information by sending their name, boat name and length, email address and home port or club to ghyclightedparade@gmail.com.

The parade route will start at Arabella’s Marina, proceed to the City Dock area, turn inside the harbor entrance, go down the north side of the harbor and turn again to pass by Anthony’s and the marinas in the western bay, and finally come back by Arabella’s and the City Dock before tracing the route a second time.

Boat passengers and onshore watchers will be asked to wear masks and observe social distancing.

This story was originally published November 4, 2020 at 5:30 AM.