Sponsored by Amazon, the mile-long parade was led by Alexandria’s fireboat Relief and Fireboat 2 from Washington, D.C.’s Fire Department.
Best of Show was awarded to Dark Star and Captain Doug Savage, who presented "A Charlie Brown Christmas," complete with familiar costumed characters like Lucy, Linus and Snoopy dancing to the iconic theme song.
Best Powerboat went to Beer Hunter and Captain Chris Johnson for "Land Before Time," which depicted a festive Jurassic journey. Best Sailboat was awarded to Tuesday and Captain Joe Landa for "From Odessa with Love,” featuring scenes in support of Ukraine projected on the sailboat’s mast.
Prior to the start of the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by fireboat at the Alexandria City Marina before attending the annual Holiday Festival at Torpedo Factory Art Center.
Winners of the boat parade include: Best In Show: Dark Star, Captain Doug Savage, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”; Best Powerboat: Beer Hunter, Captain Chris Johnson, “Land Before Time”; Best Sailboat: Tuesday, Captain Joe Landa, “From Odessa with Love”; Thinking Outside the Christmas Box: Miss Behavin, Captain Kirt Barbee, “Have a Chesapeake Bay Crabby Christmas”; Most Holiday Cheer: Titan Rowing (Alexandria City High School), Captain Patrick Marquardt, “Holiday”; Best Spirit of America: Luthien, Captain John Newton, “Boy Scouting and Christmas”; Most Spirited Crew: Magical Knots, Captain Brian Dollinger, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”; Best Theme: Nauti Office, Captains Chelsie Bain, Greg Noble, Liz Cannon and Alex Kandalaft, “A Christmas Story”; Hardiest Soul: American Girl, Captain John Gaydos, “Potomac Sleigh Ride”; Best Movie or TV Theme: Moovin, Captain Tom Cordell, “Mario Bros”; Best Try: Consuelo, Captain David Robbins, “Bah, Hum BUG.”