Lights out tonight, people

Tonight’s your last chance to catch the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, but even if you don’t already have plans to get out there, we’re going to weigh anchor on that argument and jump ashore for a second.

And suddenly, we’re surrounded by millions -- we don’t mean low millions, say 1.5 million, we’re talking tens of, hundreds of, thousands of -- OK, we’re catching our breath now, where were we? Of course, we are surrounded by oodles of lights and hundreds of homes along the harbor (and elsewhere) all decked out in their Christmas (sometimes holiday) finest.

This year, via no scientific polling, it seems there are more houses with more lights than ever before. The main attractions, of course, are those homes that win the parade’s Ring of Lights competition. Of note are the particularly helpful signs proclaiming the winners, because there’s no other way of telling. The 19 winners this year again have gone to lengths high, wild and dazzling to turn their homes into miniature wonderlands.

So, to the parade Ring of Lights winners and to those who’ve strung even a string of lights across their fence, thanks for all the effort. And, as the Chamber of Commerce’s Jeff Parker has been known to say as he emcees from the parade’s lead boat, “SoCal Edison thanks you.”