On Saturday, November 28th, 1998, the Occoquan Yacht Club began the holiday season. We couldn't have asked for better weather-sunny and 65 degrees to 70 degrees, a great day for a spontaneous raft-up. Sea Duck 2, KITT 2, Lovin' Life!, the new Abominable Snowman, Shalimar, and Mutants on the Bounty were beautifully decorated and patiently waited for the arrival of Santa Claus. We even had a small reindeer running around the docks looking for Santa. Many of OYC members enjoyed lots of goodies on the docks of Occoquan Harbor Marina. The big hits were the hot mulled wine and the mini chocolate eclairs Janine Washington defrosted all by herself.
At 11:30am Harbor Lady slowly cruised down the Occoquan river towards O.H.M., We could see Santa! As it turned out, Santa would not be taken to the town of Occoquan by an OYC member this year. This turn of events did not fare well with our coordinator, the official OYC Elf Walt Cheatham. After discussions with the captain of the Harbor Lady, it was decided that Santa would arrive in Occcoquan on time, but Harbor Lady would do the honors. OYC was dismayed, we had always taken Santa to Occoquan. To ease the blow, the captain of the Harbor Lady invited any of the OYC members kids, to ride with him. The boat filled up quickly with lots of anxious children.
Rumor has it, Tim Chaffin of Mutants on the Bounty, was not a good boy this year!
With the Chipmunks singing Christmas carols, OYC members fired up their engines and escorted Santa to town. As we headed up the Occoquan River in perfect OYC parade formation, we could hear the sound of hundreds of children yelling for Santa. What a great feeling it was aboard Lovin' Life! to be part of the Christmas cheer. We wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday season.