Christmas Ships 60th Anniversary
Portland, December 6th, 2014. This year will mark the 60th anniversary of Portland’s Christmas Ships Parade. Volunteers are making it easier for crowds to track the fleet. On parade nights, a crew member from each fleet will be sending out live tweets. Those tweets will provide real time updates. Each tweet will contain either “#WillametteFleet” or “#ColumbiaFleet.” Those tweets can be seen on the Christmas Ship home page or directly from the Twitter feed. The fleet is much like the post office, members forge ahead through rain, snow, and of course, dark of night. Organizers say, “The increase contact we see through the web page here, as well as through our Facebook page and Twitter feed, further cement the incredible interest shown for this event. Christmas Ships Parade fans not only show up to visit us in all sorts of weather, but they’re actively involved in communicating with the leadership, sharing pictures and videos, making donations, and offering suggestions. You support is invaluable, and we thank you for all you do for us.” Below is the schedule for both the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
Willamette River Schedule:
Monday, Dec. 8th – Milwaukie – 7:00PM
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns downriver and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace.
Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details
Tuesday, Dec. 9th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area before heading upstream to the Spaghetti Factory then head downriver to the area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
Restaurant and hotel links, outdoor viewing location and further details
Wnesday, Dec. 10th – Milwaukie – 7:00PM
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns downriver and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace.
Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details
Thursday, Dec. 11th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area before heading upstream to the Spaghetti Factory then head downriver to the area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
Restaurant and hotel links, outdoor viewing location and further details
Friday, Dec. 12th – Milwaukie, Oregon Yacht Club – 7:00PM
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns downriver and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace.
Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details
Saturday, Dec. 13th – St Helens, Columbia City, Columbia Riverfront RV Park (WA side) – 6:00PM
At 6:000PM, both fleets will assemble at the St. Helens City Docks and head downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river conditions permitting crosses to the WA side and the Columbia Riverfront RV Park, then returns to St. Helens City Docks. The fleet is out about two hours. Ships remain overnight at St. Helens City Docks and leave Sunday for the trip up Multnomah Channel.
Restaurants, outdoor viewing locations and further details
Sunday, Dec. 14th – Scappoose/Multnomah Channel – 4:30PM
The combined Willamette and Columbia fleets will depart from Coon Island at 4:30pm and arrive in the Scappoose area at approximately 5:00pm. They will travel up the Multnomah Channel to the Fred’s Marina area. This is a long run with the ships arriving at Fred’s Marina at approximately 8:30pm. From there, the fleet will disperse to their respective moorages.
Additional information and viewing locations
Monday, Dec 15th – No Parade this evening
Tuesday, Dec. 16th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area before heading upstream to the Spaghetti Factory then head downriver to the area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
Restaurant and hotel links, outdoor viewing location and further details
Wednesday, Dec. 17th – Milwaukie – 7:00PM
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns downriver and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace.
Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details
Thursday, Dec. 18th – OMSI to Fremont Bridge – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Willamette Fleet assembles in front of Riverplace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area before heading upstream to the Spaghetti Factory then head downriver to the area of the Fremont Bridge The fleet will go under the bridge and then return to Riverplace Marina. The fleet will be out for about two hours.
Restaurant and hotel links, outdoor viewing location and further details
Friday, Dec. 19th – Milwaukie, Oregon Yacht Club – 7:00PM
The Willamette Fleet assembles in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland) at 7:00PM and travels upriver to the area of the Milwaukie Boat Ramp. The fleet will arrive about 7:45PM and about 8:15P the fleet turns downriver and returns to RiverPlace Marina. On the nights that Oregon Yacht Club is listed, the fleet will go in below Oaks Park and in front of the floating homes on the way back to RiverPlace.
Restaurants and hotel links, outdoor viewing locations and further details
Saturday, Dec. 20th – Lake Oswego – 5:00PM
At 5:00PM, both fleets will leave RiverPlace Marina(downtown Portland) headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:15P – 6:30, subject to weather and river conditions. The ships will go as far as George Rogers Park and turn back to Portland.
Restaurant, hotel and outdoor viewing locations, maps and further details
Sunday, Dec. 21st – RiverPlace/John’s Landing/St. John’s Bridge – 5:00PM
At 5:00PM, the Willamette and Columbia Fleets assemble in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area and proceed upstream to the Spaghetti Factory before heading downriver to St. John’s arriving at approximately 6:30 PM and remain in the area for about 30 minutes. The parade will then continue on to the Columbia River and each boat owners home port. The arrival times are dependent upon bridge openings that are beyond the control of the Christmas Ships. Please check our Twitter feed for updates to our time and location.
Restaurant, hotel and outdoor viewing locations, maps and further details
Columbia Fleet Schedule:
Monday, Dec. 8th – I-5 Bridge area, Hayden Bay – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area including Grandma’s Cove, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM at Beaches, and Hayden Bay approximately 8:45 PM.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Tuesday, Dec. 9th – James Gleason Boat Ramp/WA Shores/Wintler Park/I-5 Bridge area – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and remains for about the first half hour, then heads across the river to the Washington Shoreline until about 8pm. Then heads downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at approximately 8:15 PM.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Wnesday, Dec. 10th – I-205 Bridge/Steamboat Landing/164th Street/WA side – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and departs upriver to the I-205 Bridge area by Steamboat Landing and up to about the 164th St. location before turning downriver.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Thursday, Dec. 11th – I-5 Bridge area/Hayden Bay – 7:00PM
At 7:00 PM the fleet will assemble in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Friday, Dec. 12th – North Portland Harbor – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the fleet will assemble in the area of the James. M Gleason boat ramp, (NE 43rd/Marine Dr), and then head downriver to North Portland Harbor. North Portland Harbor is located on the Oregon side of Hayden Island.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Saturday, Dec. 13th – St Helens, Columbia City, Columbia Riverfront RV Park (WA side) – 6:00PM
At 6:000PM, both fleets will assemble at the St. Helens City Docks and head downriver to Columbia City, and weather/river conditions permitting crosses to the WA side and the Columbia Riverfront RV Park, then returns to St. Helens City Docks. The fleet is out about two hours. Ships remain overnight at St. Helens City Docks and leave Sunday for the trip up Multnomah Channel.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Sunday, Dec. 14th – Scappoose/Multnomah Channel – 4:30PM
The combined Willamette and Columbia fleets will depart from Coon Island at 4:30pm and arrive in the Scappoose area at approximately 5:00pm. They will travel up the Multnomah Channel to the Fred’s Marina area. This is a long run with the ships arriving at Fred’s Marina at approximately 8:30pm. From there, the fleet will disperse to their respective moorages.
Additional information and viewing locations
Monday, Dec 15th – No Parade this evening
Tuesday, Dec. 16th – I-5 Bridge area, Hayden Bay – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area including Grandma’s Cove, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM at Beaches, and Hayden Bay approximately 8:45 PM.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Wednesday, Dec. 17th – James Gleason Boat Ramp/WA Shores/Wintler Park/I-5 Bridge area – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the Columbia Fleet assembles in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and remains for about the first half hour, then heads across the river to the Washington Shoreline until about 8pm. Then heads downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at approximately 8:15 PM.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Thursday, Dec. 18th – I-5 Bridge area/Hayden Bay – 7:00PM
At 7:00 PM the fleet will assemble in front of James M. Gleason Boat Ramp, 43rd/NE Marine Drive and turns at the east end of the parking lot to head downriver to the I-5 Bridge Area, arriving at approximately 7:30 PM.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Friday, Dec. 19th – North Portland Harbor – 7:00PM
At 7:00PM, the fleet will assemble in the area of the James. M Gleason boat ramp, (NE 43rd/Marine Dr), and then head downriver to North Portland Harbor. North Portland Harbor is located on the Oregon side of Hayden Island.
Additional information, restaurants and outdoor viewing locations
Saturday, Dec. 20th – Lake Oswego – 5:00PM
At 5:00PM, both fleets will leave RiverPlace Marina(downtown Portland) headed to Lake Oswego, arriving about 6:15P – 6:30, subject to weather and river conditions. The ships will go as far as George Rogers Park and turn back to Portland.
Restaurant, hotel and outdoor viewing locations, maps and further details
Sunday, Dec. 21st – RiverPlace/John’s Landing/St. John’s Bridge – 5:00PM
At 5:00PM, the Willamette and Columbia Fleets assemble in front of RiverPlace Marina, (1750 SW Harbor Way, Portland). The parade will begin in the OMSI/Riverplace area and proceed upstream to the Spaghetti Factory before heading downriver to St. John’s arriving at approximately 6:30 PM and remain in the area for about 30 minutes. The parade will then continue on to the Columbia River and each boat owners home port. The arrival times are dependent upon bridge openings that are beyond the control of the Christmas Ships. Please check our Twitter feed for updates to our time and location.
Restaurant, hotel and outdoor viewing locations, maps and further details
Portland, OR. The Oregon Historical Society’s (OHS) annual Oregon History Makers Awards & Dinner recognizes…
Portland, OR. Move over pumpkins, the Lan Su Chinese Garden is welcoming fall with its…
Portland, OR. Portland Opera has announced its 2023-2024 season, featuring a lineup of productions including…
Portland, OR. The 18th annual Changing Destinies Luncheon was held in the Knight Nation's gym.…
Portland, OR. The annual Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Gala garnered significant support…
Portland, OR. After a three year covid hiatus, the Assistance League of Greater Portland's Promenade Portland…