Harbor of lights

Today is the day for Santa to flip a switch and light 60 trees in the water and on the beaches of the bay.Well before the ball drops in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, locals will be counting down for the annual Lighting of the Bay.

The Newport Dunes event, begins at 6 p.m. today, will feature live Christmas-caroling entertainment from the OC Song and Dance Company and Hooked on Harmony.

“We are singing all the Christmas songs you can think of,” said Newport Beach resident Melba Linscott, a member of the 18-woman singing group Hooked on Harmony. “We’re honored to be requested for the program.”

After Santa Claus makes his grand entrance, he will flip a switch turning on the 60 decorated trees in the water and on the beaches around the bay.

“It’s absolutely wonderful,” said Newport Dunes food and beverage director Tammy Ford. “As Santa is doing this, we are doing a countdown.”

The lighting of the bay event takes weeks and weeks of preparation, Ford said.

An engineering team of four has been working tirelessly to ensure the lights all turn on without any glitches -- each tree is decorated with 300 multi-colored lights. Forty trees are set up on buoys throughout the water with another 20 or so on the beach, said chief engineer John Wiebel.

He said it takes the engineering team a month to build all the trees and decorate them with lights. Then they put them all on the water using a small dinghy. Two large generators on barges in the water keep them lighted every evening from 5 to 9 p.m. for the month of December, Wiebel said.

“If you’re driving on PCH, you can definitely see them,” Ford said of the lighted bay trees. “This is California-style Christmas definitely.”

The event also includes children’s visits with Santa, a Ferris wheel, a carousel and -- new this year -- a railroad ride that goes around the parking lot. Refreshments such as hot cocoa, chili, seafood chowder, and Christmas cookies will also be sold at the event.

“We’re hoping that will be a big hit for the kids,” Ford said, adding that she brings her two young children to the celebration every year. “It’s definitely one of the highlights of December.”

Ford said one of the most exciting points in the evening is Santa’s arrival as he comes in a different way every year. Last year, he came in by water and another year he pulled up on a scooter.

“All the kids just go running to him,” Ford said. “We never know where he’s going to come from.”

Ford added that should it rain, festivities will be moved inside to the pavilion.

IF YOU GO

*WHAT: 12th Annual Lighting of the Bay

*WHEN: Friday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.

*WHERE: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach

*INFO: (949) 729-3863 or www.newportdunes.com

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at (714) 966-4625 or lindsay.sandham@latimes.com.

20051202iqug5vknKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Workers motor past Christmas decorations floating at Newport Dunes during the setup for the annual Lighting of the Bay.