Boat Parade Lights Up Clinton River
By Nick Lico / Photography by Anne Nicolazzo
Since 2014, a number of boat owners have decorated their boats and sailed along the Clinton River in Harrison Township to help raise funds for local charities. Labeled the Harrison Township Parade of Lights, this year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, August 2 and will be led by the Pride of Michigan, a former Navy vessel now used for cadet training exercises on the Great Lakes.
The concept for the Parade of Lights goes back to 2014, as Julie Angst, Parade of Lights chairman explained. “Years ago, there used to be a Parade of Lights that originated from Metro Beach. After a while, it stopped taking place. Interest in restarting it was strong and a few people approached me at Lambrecht Marina. I said that I would do it only if it would become a charitable event.”
She explained that the Parade of Lights committee collects funds from local businesses as sponsorship.
“Some of the funds collected go to the township to pay bills and the rest goes to a charity. For the last few years, we’ve focused on charities for kids or animals,” Angst said.
This year, the proceeds from the parade will benefit the I Heart Dogs Rescue and Animal Haven. Opened in 2015, this 501(c)(3) charitable organization is located in Warren. It has placed over 5,000 dogs and cats into homes through its adoption process.
“Their mission is to lead the no-kill movement by rescuing, rehabilitating, re-homing and providing a place of refuge for homeless dogs, while also providing a haven for the pets belonging to domestic violence survivors,” Angst added.
Boats will gather at Lambrecht Marina (formerly called Markley Marine) at 9:00 p.m. and head west to the Bridgeview Street Bridge. They then turn back going east toward Lake St. Clair where the mouth of the river is. They make a second and final turn before returning back to the marina.
To see the parade is a treat and you don’t have to be a boater to enjoy it. Residents near the river get involved as well with plenty of decorations and watch parties taking place. Public viewing spots along the Clinton River include Bumpers Landing and Harley Ensign Memorial Boating Launch.
There’s no fee to participate in the Parade of Lights and participants can earn prizes. “The grand prize winner for the best- decorated boat earns $1,000, second place is $500 and third place is $300. We also award one resident $100 for their home’s decorations,” said Angst.
To register as a participating illuminated boat or sponsor, contact Julie Angst at (586) 469-6000.
