A sea of lights, holiday delights

Alicia Robinson

After big crowds and great weather, the 96th-annual Newport Harbor

Christmas Boat Parade will wrap up another successful run today -- a

day after its most well-adorned entries were announced.

“The parade’s been running really well,” boat parade chairman Bill

Mountford said. “We had a little problem the first night, where we

had a boat break down in the middle of the parade.”

On Friday night, 106 boats -- with their various forms of lighted

displays -- participated, and about 130 were expected Saturday night,

Mountford said.

The parade’s five nights, organized by the Newport Beach Chamber

of Commerce, can draw up to a million spectators to Newport Beach.

Some of the boats they saw this year were decorated with Hawaiian

scenes, a snowy mountain and a “The Polar Express”-themed boat,

Mountford said. During the parade, the boats caravan from Collins

Island through various points in the harbor and back.

The people decorating their waterfront homes are giving the boats

a run for their money.

“That’s growing every year, more and more houses that are being

decorated,” Mountford said.

But the focus for event’s judges remained on the boats. Winners of

this year’s boat parade, some of whom also took top honors last year,

were announced Saturday. They include:

* Paul Gerst, whose boat, Elation, won the sweepstakes award and

best yacht club entry.

* Scott Flamson, who took prizes for best powerboat and best

first-time entry with his boat, Max.

* Dave Thomas, who won the best sailboat award with Huff N’ Puff.

* Trent Lattin, winner of best boat under 30 feet with his boat,

CF 4671 PV.

* Randy and Debra Ressel and Abbott and Cindy Ayloush, who won the

best music award with the boat Finesse.

* Sasco Electric, which won sponsor’s choice with the boat El

Navegante.

* Winners for lights and animation were:

First Place, Sasco Electric’s El Navegante;

Second Place, Peter Barbour’s D25;

Third Place, Phil Doane’s Hukilau;

* Humor and originality awards went to:

First Place, Emily Vogler and Dan Flynn’s Jolly Mom;

Second Place, Tim and Roz Factor’s Jessie J;

Third Place, Woods Maritime’s Lynx

* Best theme prizes were given to:

First Place, Larry and Debra Woodhams’ Tribute;

Second Place, Steve and Marilyn Harvey’s Vitamin Sea;

Third Place, Catherine Malm’s Argus