Special Event

New downtown holiday parade will float your boat

Landlubbers Holiday Boat Float on Main logo
Landlubbers Holiday Boat Float on Main logo

A flotilla of boats will make its way through downtown Little Rock on Saturday. No, not along the Arkansas River. And, no, there's no flood expected.

It's the Landlubbers Holiday Boat Float on Main Street, a brand new pre-holidays event from the Downtown Little Rock Partnership's Main Street Revitalization Committee that invites boat owners to give their boats one last, sparkly hurrah before putting them away for the winter.

Landlubbers Holiday Boat Float on Main

6-9 p.m. Saturday, from Seventh Street to Third Street along Main Street, Little Rock

Admission: Free for spectators; boat registration $40

(501) 375-0121

boatfloatonmain.com

Anderson Penix, communications director for the partnership, says, "Throw some holiday lights on them, put some decorations up and just tour them through downtown Little Rock."

The idea came about when the committee was looking for a new, unique way to welcome the holiday season and bring attention to Main Street's seasonal lights, which should be up and ready by Saturday. One of the committee members is from a town in Missouri where a similar parade has become hugely popular.

"We're going to see what Little Rock thinks about it," Penix says.

The parade will start promptly at 6 p.m. at Center and Seventh streets, head east to Main Street, then turn north to end at Third and Main streets.

Boat registration is available online but people can sign up on parade day by calling the partnership.

"As long as they've read our rules, as long as they've got lights on their boat or someone's wearing a Santa hat, they'll be more than welcome," Penix says.

Because this is the first boat parade, they're not anticipating a huge turnout of asphalt-bound watercraft, but, Penix says, "Small doesn't mean 'not good.' We're going to have fun with however many we have."

Everyone, whether a boat-owner, an admirer or just someone looking for a good time, is invited to the Yacht Rock Block Party immediately following the parade in the 500 block of Main Street, a blend of summer and winter fun.

A DJ will blast "those old good summer tunes" for dancing while Loblolly Creamery sells hot cocoa and Santa poses for pictures. There will also be Loblolly ice cream and adult beverages for sale.

Penix says, "This is a unique event that I'm sure a lot of them have never seen before. I think it's going to be a good atmosphere and just a lot of fun. I think if anybody's looking for either of those, downtown Little Rock will be the best place to find it."

Weekend on 11/02/2017

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