Illuminated Boat Parade returns to the Corpus Christi Marina

For one night, Corpus Christi took its "Sparkling City by the Sea" nickname literally.

The Port of Corpus Christi and the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District hosted the annual Illuminated Boat Parade Saturday at the Corpus Christi Marina.

Usually part of the Harbor Lights Festival, the parade acted as a stand-alone event this year after the festival was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The parade consisted of more than a dozen boats filled with hundreds of lights, music and other Christmas decorations for spectators to enjoy.

Hundreds of people gathered on the seawall to watch the parade.

"We hope the illuminated boat parade brings cherished memories and reflects that Downtown Corpus Christi is a bright and welcoming holiday destination for families to come and celebrate," DMD Executive Director Alyssa Barrera Mason said in a news release.

Starting at the north end of the Lawrence T-head, the parade looped between the Lawrence Street T-Head and the Coopers Alley L-Head. During their loop, boats were evaluated by a group of judges as they made their decisions on a variety of awards.

“Such community events as the Illuminated Boat Parade are so very important for our community’s recovery from the isolating impacts of COVID-19,” Sean Strawbridge, chief executive officer for the Port of Corpus Christi, said in the news release.

More: The best spots to see Christmas lights and other displays in Corpus Christi

More: H-E-B Christmas tree lighting ceremony draws large crowd to Water’s Edge Park

Christopher Howley covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Support more coverage like this at Caller.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Illuminated Boat Parade returns to the Corpus Christi Marina