Expanded Christmas fleet to sail

Six to eight new boats will be joining the Christmas Ship Parade fleet this season as it tours the Columbia and Willamette rivers. (Troy Wayrynen/The Columbian)

Troy Wayrynen/The Columbian Christmas Ships can be seen from several local parks and restaurants.

Clark County residents will get the first glimpse of the annual Christmas Ship Parade on Dec. 6, when the parade departs from the Port of Camas/Washougal.

About a dozen boats are expected to take part in the one-hour run, which circles the Columbia River in east Clark County, said Neal Penland, who is a member of the Christmas Ship board of directors.

A parade of 12 vessels would match last year’s total for the east Clark County parade. The rest of the Christmas Ship Parade begins Dec. 10 and continues through Dec. 21. Six to eight new boats will join the parade this year, bringing the fleet’s total to about 60. Penland estimates that 25 will be sailing along the Columbia River, but not all boats will participate each night.

Penland said he was a bit surprised at the number of participants this year, given the cost of fuel and the sagging economy.

“We figured, if anything, people would cut back on the number of nights they were out,” he said. “We didn’t have that at all.”

Exact information on where ships will be and at what time isn’t available. River debris, weather and rough water could cause cancellation or delays, and commercial traffic on the rivers can alter routes.

So, if you plan to watch the parade it’s a good idea to pick a pleasant spot and settle in. If you’d like to combine the parade watch with a meal, the Puffin Cafe is an ideal spot given it’s within walking distance of Washougal’s Marina Park. Puffin Cafe owner Robert Guetter said that diners have walked from the restaurant to the park for better views in year’s past.

Parks with views

The Puffin Cafe and Marina Park aren’t alone in offering views as the parade continues. Here’s a list of viewing spots and what they have to offer:

* Marina Park

Where: 24 S. A St., Washougal.

Viewing date: Dec. 6.

Tips: The park provides wide-open views of the waterfront. Neal Penland, a member of the Christmas Ship board of directors, advises viewers to show up early, since the parking lot fills up quickly. Viewers should dress for the weather if they decide to get out of their car for a closer look. The park includes rest rooms and picnic tables.



* Steamboat Landing Park

Where: State Highway 14 and 15th Street, Washougal.

Viewing date: Dec. 6.

Tips: Those looking to walk around can catch views from the park’s trail, which continues along Cottonwood Beach. A floating walkway and viewpoint provide close-up views of the parade. But keep in mind that navigating the trail is difficult in the dark. It’s also important to keep weather and river conditions in mind before deciding it’s safe to head down to the walkway.



* Waterfront Park

Where: 115 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver.

Viewing Dates: Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 15, Dec. 17-18.

Tips: There are a limited number of parking spots with unobstructed river views available at the park. Adventurous viewers can bundle up and get views along the mostly flat, paved Waterfront Renaissance Trail.



* Vancouver Landing at Terminal One

Where: Just west of the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay, 100 Columbia St., Vancouver.

Viewing dates: Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 15, Dec. 17-18.

Tips: The boats usually pass by close to the nearby Red Lion Hotel at the Quay, giving viewers unobstructed views.



* Wintler Beach Community Park

Where: 6400 Beach Drive, Vancouver.

Viewing dates: Dec. 16, Dec. 18.

Tips: Walking along the Waterfront Renaissance Trail will yield the best views in Wintler Park.



* Marine Park

Where: Southeast Marine Park Way and Southeast Columbia Way, Vancouver.

Viewing dates: Dec. 10-12 and Dec. 15-18.

Tips: The best views in Marine Park come by taking the park’s trails to a river viewpoint. One such viewpoint is the Kaiser Viewing Tower, which offers river views and information about the Kaiser Shipyard’s role in World War II.

Restaurants with views

* The Puffin Cafe

Where: 14 S. A St., Washougal, 360-335-1522.

Viewing date: Dec. 6.

Tips: Since the Puffin Cafe doesn’t accept reservations, when should diners show up to grab the best seats? It depends on the weather, Guetter said. If it isn’t raining, Guetter says that diners should show up two hours before the ships embark. If it is rainy, Guetter says that diners should still be able to find seating one hour early. The restaurant is within walking distance of Marina Park, which offers views of the ships.



* Parker House Restaurant

Where: 56 S. First St., Washougal, 360-835-2167.

Viewing date: Dec. 6.

Tips: Reservations are recommended; the restaurant has been completely booked in past years. Those without reservations can see the ships from the restaurant’s upstairs lounge, which opens on a first-come, first-served basis at 5 p.m. The mood inside the restaurant will be festive. The Washougal High School Choir will sing carols, and the restaurant’s lights will be dimmed for better viewing as the ships pass.



* McMenamins on the Columbia

Where: 1801 S.E. Columbia River Drive, Vancouver, 360-699-1521.

Viewing dates: Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 15, Dec. 17-18.

Tips: McMenamins on the Columbia isn’t accepting reservations. In the past, the McMenamins dining room has been packed as early as 1 hours before the parade began, said pub manager Mel Jensen. If the weather permits, the restaurant’s patio will be open to diners. “It’s not going to be super comfortable, but if you’re willing to bundle up, we will be serving the patio,” Jensen said.



* Salty’s

Where: 3839 N.E. Marine Drive, Portland, 503-288-4444.

Viewing dates: Dec. 10-12, Dec. 15-19.

Tips: Salty’s accepts reservations and is typically booked by the time the first boats sail. But there is seating in the bar for diners without reservations. Diners can head to the heated upstairs deck. Coffee and cocoa will be served, blankets will be available, and heaters will help keep diners warm while the ships pass.



* Joe’s Crab Shack

Where: 101 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver, 360-693-9211.

Viewing dates: Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 15, Dec. 17-18.

Tips: Joe’s Crab Shack charges $20 per table for reservations, but walk-ins are welcome. When should diners show up? It depends on when the boats are running, said general manager Brian Smith. On a weekend evening, diners should show up about two hours early. On a weeknight, diners are advised to show up about one hour before the boats depart.



* Beaches Restaurant & Bar

Where: 1919 S.E. Columbia River Drive, Vancouver, 360-699-1592.

Viewing dates: Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 15, Dec. 17-18.

Tips: The dining room at Beaches Restaurant & Bar is completely booked, but those without reservations can stop by the bar, which seats about 125. Diners hoping to grab one of those seats, available on a first-come, first-serve basis, should show up about one hour before the boats run, said owner Mark Matthias. Santa Claus will stop by the restaurant, and singing groups from Vancouver Public Schools will perform. Diners hoping for a better view can stand in Beaches’ outdoor tenting area, where hot chocolate will be served.



* Who Song & Larry’s

Where: 111 E. Columbia Way, Vancouver, 360-695-1198.

Viewing dates: Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 15, Dec. 17-18.

Tips: Who Song & Larry’s is accepting reservations, but those without reservations can sit in the cantina. General manager Gerardo Gonzalez recommends that diners show up at about 6 p.m. for the parade. Diners wanting a better look can walk out on to the restaurant’s patio.



* The Pacific Grill and Chowder House and the Quay Bar

Where: 100 Columbia St., Vancouver., Vancouver, 360-694-8341.

Viewing dates: Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 15, Dec. 17-18.

Tips: Walk-ins without a reservation should head straight for the bar area, in case the dining room is booked.