RVA has a love affair with holiday lights. We come out in droves every year, drawn to the sparkle and the celebration. Tacky, tasteful…or floating…we’re there! The 23rd annual James River Parade of Lights did not disappoint. Although the number of boats was small, the intensity of their illumination and delightful creativity was still a crowd pleaser. Hundreds gathered at the Osborn Park and Boat Landing in Varina (one of 5 suggested viewing sites).
Next door to the landing, The Lilly Pad Café was having its own, more adult-oriented, celebration; not to mention an incredibly balmy night to party.
Harold Lovering Jr (he goes by Jr for Junior) and a couple of friends played a great mix of party favorites with a few Christmas tunes. Jr (guitar/vocals) began with longtime collaborator Chuck Page (drums/vocal). After a couple of classic rock covers they were joined by Steve Dunkin (keyboard/vocal) and kicked it up a notch. Steve must have studied Jerry Lee Lewis because he sure nailed a couple of The Killer’s tunes. The crowd had a great time.
The Lilly Pad Cafe has been around about 10 years and promotes itself as “al fresco dining on the James River.” It operates during the warmer months and promotes local music on their outdoor stage and patio. The James makes an excellent backdrop. The café opened especially for this Christmas celebration, as they’ve done in most years past, and a hundred or so “regulars” came to enjoy the music, the boats and libations. It was a good-natured crowd enjoying an unseasonably warm evening. And some holiday cheer!
The video features the boats and the band.
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