Festive flotilla tonight

<p>The Petaluma River sparkles with the yuletide spirit of the season during the Petaluma Yacht Club’s annual Holiday Lighted Boat Parade tonight.</p><p>A flotilla of decorated boats will fill the Turning Basin on Saturday, Dec. 1 in celebration of the holidays and the Petaluma River. Yacht club members spend hours and often go to quite an expense to continue one of Petaluma’s most spectacular holiday traditions.</p><p>The parade was started a quarter century ago by club members who sailed up the river from Gilardi’s Landing to the Turning Basin until it dawned on them that few could actually see the boats until they neared the downtown area. Now the parade is from the Petaluma Marina to the Turning Basin.</p><p>The first Lighted Boat Parade featured three boats. That number has grown to more than 35 boats in addition to an assortment of canoes and kayaks. Hundreds of people from not only Petaluma, but from all over the Bay Area line the Turning Basin to watch the spectacle. Depending on the tides, boats gather at the marina around 5:30 p.m. The parade starts at 6 and reaches the Turning Basin around 6:30.</p><p>For more information, call 769-0429 or go online to www.visitpetaluma.com.</p>