The tradition of the Christmas Ships sails on during COVID-19

(NOVEMBER 28, 2020) Many people celebrate winter holidays. They have different traditions. Traditions are the things people do every year.

The coronavirus pandemic has stopped many holiday traditions, especially indoor activities. However, the Christmas Ships is a holiday tradition in Oregon that continues. This tradition is a parade of boats with lights. Every year, the boats with lights sail up and down the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

The Christmas Ships started in 1954 with one boat. In 2020, about 60 boats will participate. The boats are 14 to 65 feet long. The boats come from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem, and Hood River areas. They are brightly decorated for the holiday season.

The boats will parade on the rivers for 15 nights from December 4 through December 22. There will be no parades on Dec 6, 7, 14, and 15. Here are the schedules:

• Columbia River schedule

• Willamette River schedule

The boat parade is free, and thousands of people will watch from the river banks and restaurants along the rivers. Parade planners ask parade watchers to wear face masks, keep groups small, and maintain social distance from others.