NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Celebrating 30 years of cleaning, caring, restoring and maintaining the Pontchartrain Basin, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (LPBF) is hosting its 7th annual Lights on the Lake holiday celebration to view the West End Boat Parade on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 2-8 p.m., at the New Canal Lighthouse. Admission for adults is $5; children 12 and under are free. Tickets to the event will only be sold at the door.
This family-friendly event, sponsored by Enbridge, is the best place to watch the beauty and pageantry of the annual West End Boat Parade. Dozens of local boat owners decorate their vessels with wreaths, lights and holiday decorations. The decorated fleet assembles at the New Canal Lighthouse to begin a procession up and down the New Basin Canal, along Breakwater Drive and through the harbor.
Lights on the Lake will feature free photos with Papa Noel, art activities for the kids, as well as a community-built sea serpent sculpture made with plastic bottles from this year’s LPBF’s Beach Sweep.
This year’s music lineup includes the New Orleans Holiday Quartet, Tonya Boyd Cannon and the HOT 8 Brass Band. The Vendor Village, located outside the Lighthouse grounds, will offer a variety of arts and crafts vendors for holiday shopping needs. The Vendor Village is also home to the Oh La Vache and Fete Au Fete food trucks, which will have food available for purchase. Hot cider, coffee and cocoa — available with or without alcohol — will be for sale, as well as champagne, craft beer and soft drinks.
Raffle tickets for LPBF’s Yuletide Raffle may be purchased online at saveourlake.org/lights until Dec. 13 and during the event on Dec. 14. Prizes include a variety of gift certificates. Tickets are only $5, or five tickets for $20, and winners do not need to be present at the event.
Public parking is available in the lots along Lakeshore Drive. A parking shuttle is offered free of charge for guests. The route follows Lakeshore Drive and will pick up and drop off consistently throughout the event.
All proceeds from Lights at the Lake will allow Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation to continue its mission to drive environmental sustainability and stewardship through scientific research, education and advocacy, as well as offering education and outreach opportunities through the New Canal Lighthouse.
For a complete schedule of events and more information about this fun, family event, visit saveourlake.org/lights.
