Lights, please

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- With the sound of a foghorn, a boat outlined by hundreds

of tiny white lights glided out over the glassy water, marking the

beginning of the Christmas Boat Parade.

The lead Chamber of Commerce yacht -- distinguishable by its giant

inflatable Santa -- officially kicked off the 91st annual parade Friday

night.

“There’s just something about being in the lead boat! We get to see it

first before anyone else,” said a clearly excited Steve Larson, whose

wife, Dorothy, is the on the chamber board.

The yacht began winding its way through the harbor in the early evening

and was joined by more than 100 other entries. The boats, decorated with

lights, ornaments and other trinkets, are judged by the commodores, a

group of 35 local business people.

Each boat pays a fee to enter the parade and the money goes to the

chamber, which distributes portions to local charities.

“The commodores go out on different nights to judge the boats,” said Jeff

Parker of the chamber.

Local resident Geoff Landon usually wins the grand sweepstakes award,

said Parker. The annual theme of his boat is the Grinch, based on the Dr.

Seuss cartoon character. In the past, Landon, who brings children from

local charities on his yacht, has had 60-foot inflatable animals and a

volcano decorating his boat.

This year, organizers are expecting about 1 million people during the

weeklong event. Pat Miller, a school principal, comes from Chino annually

to watch the parade.

“My favorite is the lights. There is always something new,” she said,

adding that her favorite is the boat decorated with a giant fishing polar

bear.

Like many local businesses, Miller’s local Rotary Club chapter auctioned

off tickets to ride on one of the yachts. One member paid $500 to bring

his family on the boat, she said.

For most, however, the best seat is at a dockside restaurant. Many of the

establishments have special tables for couples to eat and enjoy the view

from a warm spot on the pier.