Luminous boats float into Tempe Saturday

It’s a parade like no other. In fact, this parade’s floats really do float. The APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade cruises into Tempe Town Lake Saturday and will feature around 50 illuminated water vessels decked out in their holiday finest.

“It’s a growing event, Last year we’ve had about 20,000 people come,” says Kate Hastings of Downtown Tempe Community. She says the lighted boat parade, which made its debut six years ago, is an extension of Tempe’s holiday festivities that began two weeks ago with the the city’s annual tree lighting.

Hastings says the parade is a rare treat for both boaters and attendees.

“(Downtown Tempe is) one of the few places that has water as a public amenity,” says Hastings, adding it’s also the only time of year when motorized boats are allowed at the lake.

Local boating fan Joe Habeeb of Mesa has been showcasing his Sleekcraft power boat at the parade since its inception.

“It’s cool to be part of it,” says Habeeb, 31, who typically just takes out his boat (which he named The Uninvited) during the summers to Lake Havasu or Lake Sahuaro. Come Saturday, his girlfriend and a party of 15 friends will pile into The Uninvited, waving to the onlookers as the boat makes its way through the marina.

“It’s like a sea of people by the bridge,” says Habeeb. “The kids get excited to see the boats.”

For the past few days, Habeeb has been readying The Uninvited for the event. When it comes to decorating, he says he prefers to keep it simple, using bunches of colorful lights and string, powered by a generator. He says some of his counterparts, however, really go over the top with their lighted designs.

“Some people really get into the decorating and make a theme. Some will make (decorate it as) a reindeer or a train,” says Habeeb.

This year, in addition to the boat parade, festivities include the lighting of Metro’s Tempe Town Lake Bridge for the first time. The structure, which spans nearly 1,700 feet, will connect the East Valley and central Phoenix portions of the light rail system.

And what would a holiday festivity be without snow? Hastings says the white fluffy stuff will be on hand, some 50 tons of it for kids to frolic in.

APS Fantasy of Lights Boat Parade

Where: Tempe Beach Park at Tempe Town Lake, Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue

When: Beginning 4 p.m. Saturday

Cost: Free

Information: (480) 355-6075 or www.downtowntempe.com

Event schedule

4 p.m. Free children’s activities in Tempe Beach Park, including snow to play in

5 p.m. Main Stage entertainment begins

5 p.m. to 7 p.m Children’s performances on Kids Stage 5:55 p.m. Santa arrives via boat at Tempe Beach Park

6 p.m. Main stage concert by Tuba Christmas; Light-Up-a-Luminaria display 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Musical entertainment

6:55 p.m. METRO Light Rail’s grand illumination of the new Tempe Town Lake Bridge

7 p.m. Lighted boat parade begins on Tempe Town Lake

7:30 p.m. Fireworks finale

8 p.m. Main stage jazz salute to the holidays 9 p.m. Event closes