Tuscaloosa Christmas Afloat Returns Saturday Night Along Black Warrior River

A Tuscaloosa holiday tradition of watching a parade of lighted boats and fireworks is set to make a comeback Saturday night along the Black Warrior River!  Christmas Afloat is back for the first time since being suspended after the tornadoes of 2011.

Extensive tornado damage to quite a few boats and the loss of decorations used annually are to blame for wiping out the parade. Just like other parts of the city, the recovery continues as the comeback is ready for 2015! The event organized by The Pirates of the Warrior, a non-profit boat club in Cottondale, will featured about 30 decorated boats. This includes a variety of pontoons, cruisers and houseboats.

The parade will start once it gets dark enough around 5 p.m.  So, you'll probably want to have your family in your viewing spot by 4 or 4:30.

The parade route will go from the bridge at McFarland Boulevard to the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater and back up the other direction, making the boats visible from both the Tuscaloosa and Northport banks of the river.

Suggested Viewing Areas:

• The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater Area
• Tuscaloosa Riverwalk
• Tuscaloosa River Market
• Park at Manderson Landing near Univ. of Alabama

The parade will wrap up with a fireworks finale, which is estimated to start at 7 p.m.  Fireworks will be visible from any of the suggested viewing areas along the Tuscaloosa side of the river or directly across on the Northport side of the river.