Deep Creek Communities Kick Off Holiday Season With Lighted Boat Parade

Blustery morning winds died down on November 16 just in time for 35 boat captains and their small crews of family and friends to set sail for the second annual Deep Creek Lighted Boat Parade off of the Magothy River.

The small craft, mostly owned by Arnold, Annapolis and Pasadena residents, sported festive décor depicting themes ranging from classic film favorites such as “Minions” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” to more iconic Christmas characters including Santa, Rudolph and the Grinch.

Arnold resident Jack Bahen first organized the event three years ago – though that initial boat parade was canceled due to weather – with the simple vision of bringing neighbors together across a small local waterway. Bahen, who lives along the mouth of Deep Creek, shared that he loves going to downtown Annapolis each year for the Eastport Yacht Club’s lights parade and thought, “Why don’t we do this on our creek?”

He and his family are boaters and have gotten to know many of their Arnold neighbors while out on their dock. But, he shared, he didn’t know many of their neighbors just across the creek in the Annapolis community of Atlantis. A few years back, Bahen threw together a party at Donnelly’s Dockside, an Arnold restaurant situated on Deep Creek, for neighbors on both sides. He called the party #UniteTheCreek, and that became the spirit of the boat parade as well.

The weather cooperated for the parade in 2023, and more than 20 boaters participated. Donnelly’s and neighborhood piers were swamped with spectators, and both Bahen and friend and restaurant owner Dan Donnelly resolved to ramp up preparations for an even bigger 2024 parade.

Local streets were again jammed with parked cars, but Donnelly’s was ready to host the crowds with increased staffing, live music, and outdoor food and beverage options.

This year, boaters paid a $35 entry fee and boat slips at Donnelly’s were auctioned off. Bahen explained that half of the money went toward a cash prize for the captain of the boat deemed to have the best décor, and the other half was donated to a charity selected by that winner. During a captains’ meeting at Donnelly’s prior to the event, Tri-State Steel & Erectors owner Ron Umlandt, a regular at the restaurant, said his company would match the charitable donation.

Boats paraded up and down the chilly moonlit creek early in the mid-November evening, with the winners determined by audience applause and Donnelly’s staff who served as judges. Atlantis residents Matt and Suzanne Orendorff won the $800 cash prize for their 44-foot catamaran “Sweet & Salty,” a charter that spends winters in the Caribbean.

Fittingly, their theme was “Caribbean Christmas,” and their boat was decked out with lights, inflatable palm trees and more, playing reggae music for all to enjoy.

The Orendorffs designated Blue Skies Ministries as their charity of choice to receive a $1,600 donation. The faith-based organization serves families of children with cancer by offering them respite at no-cost beach camps and mountain getaways.

“We lost our nephew last year to brain cancer and this is a wonderful organization that helped my family – my extended family – through not only when he was suffering, but also after he passed,” Matt Orendorff shared.

Reflecting on this year’s boat parade, Bahen shared that one highlight was four Broadneck High School students decorating a boat and joining the procession. “I was really surprised they were in the parade – you know, they’re young,” he said. “I loved the way they did their boat, but I just really loved the idea that we captured the attention of seniors in high school that wanted to participate.”

Bahen and Donnelly are already thinking ahead to next year’s lighted boat parade, contemplating parking logistics and ways to raise more funds for charity.

“We have so much fun doing it and it’s all about the community,” Donnelly said, underscoring just how many people gathered not only at his restaurant but all up and down Deep Creek.

Looking ahead, Bahen said, “My goal is I want it bigger than the Eastport parade of lights … and I want to raise more money, which is going to be really hard – so it’s a stretch goal – but I want to raise as much money as we can for local charities and get the community together. That’s all I want.”