Yuletide comes in

NEWPORT HARBOR — Singing Santa Clauses, a flopping fish, and even a glowing Ferris wheel ridden by stuffed animals went gliding through the Newport harbor Wednesday evening as the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade kicked off its 98th year. Every beach, restaurant, and viewing spot in sight was crammed with people looking for a good view.

The event, hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, continues through Sunday night.

The boats had a serious rival for attention on land, as competitors in the Ring of Lights building decoration contest, also held by the Commodores Club, circled their houses and hotels on the water with glittering holiday lights.

The two events attracted thousands to Newport Harbor.

Brett Hemphill, a former parade chairman now in the office of controlling and directing the boats, said this is a huge year for the parade.

“Everything about this parade is bigger and better,” he said. “We have more sponsors, more boats and more volunteers.”

The theme was “Holiday Magic Through the Eyes of a Child,” submitted by Balboa Island resident Trudy Hayes.

Ninety boats were registered to display their lights as of noon Wednesday, and even more boat owners were expected to register late despite not being allowed to compete for prizes, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Cara Stepland said.

“We’re really happy with the number of registered boaters,” she said. “Those boats will show up every night of the parade.”

But when the Orange Coast Yachts boat, occupied by a giant glowing Santa Claus, floated by to signal the end of the registered boats, a number of colorful late entrants sailed by, bringing the total well above a hundred.

Jim and Joan Sprick are Newport Beach residents who say they’ve been coming on and off for 14 years, but their son Jacob saw the parade for the first time with his Cub Scout troop.

Asked for his favorite boat, he answered enthusiastically, “The blue one!” before reconsidering. “That big Santa was really cool.”