By land or by water, the Harrison Township Parade of Lights becomes the focus of a Boat Town party on Saturday night.

The parade has turned into a summertime Macomb County boating favorite that returns to the waterways this weekend with a new charity benefiting from a night of fun and frolic.

Participating captains get the opportunity to get a little creative and colorful in designing their boats. Homeowners on the parade route along the Clinton River in Harrison Township are also invited to get in on the act and come up with decorations for their residence.

“This is a family-friendly, charity event that takes place on the Clinton River,” Julie Angst, manager of Lambrecht Marina who serves as event chairman, said in publicity materials. “Participants decorate their vessels and cruise the river, to benefit the chosen charity and possibly win the grand prize.”

According to Angst, the Parade of Lights brings the Boat Town community together for a great charitable cause and also focuses on the contributions from the area’s small businesses — marinas, party stores, restaurants, detail shops — that make up the local boating community.

This is the 12th year for the boating event.

Gail Marlow, left, executive director of Motor City Mitten Mission, is pictured with Lew Stier, associate pastor of outreach at Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica. MACOMB DAILY FILE PHOTO

Proceeds from the parade event will benefit the Motor City Mittens Mission, a St. Clair Shores-based non-profit that provides meals, housing assistance, clothing, daily street outreach, and other services to the homeless.

The mission also makes mats and pillows from plastic bags and gives them to those in need.

The parade has long been a one-of-kind Boat Town tradition in the lakeside community where captains transform their boats into colorful vessels of fun as landlubbers at marinas and back yards join in for one big waterfront party.

Lambrecht Marina (formerly Markley Marine) on North River Road, continues to host the event and act as its home base, according to Angst. She has served as the event chair since the procession was revived.

Angst said the Parade of Lights is a community event sponsored by many neighboring marinas and locals businesses to help raise fund for a 501(c)(3) charity.

Many homeowners along the route will also dress up their residences with lights or props as the riverfront neighborhoods became part of the event. Several marinas host parties with live entertainment.

Captains compete for first place prize of $1,000. Runners-up will receive $500 and $300, and the best-decorated resident’s house will pocket $100. A panel of judges will determine the winning entries.

The parade will be led by the Pride of Michigan, an 81-foot former U.S. Navy training vessel carrying the Sea Cadets. The vessel is located on South River Road by the North Star Sail Club.

Participating boats can line up at 8:45 p.m. Saturday at Lambrecht Marina. The parade will depart at 9 p.m. down the river, heading to Bridgeview to the mouth of the Clinton River and back to Lambrecht.

Viewing spots include Bumpers Landing, Dos Bumpers, Crews Inn, Harley Ensign Memorial Boating Access Site and along the Clinton River.

Freedom Boat Club of Lake St. Clair and Tito’s Handmade Vodka are the co-sponsors of the event. Other local community-minded business are also sponsoring the waterfront festival.

Participating boats must be pre-registered. For registration, call 586-469-6000 or visit lambrechtmarina.com/parade-of-lights