The Harbor Column:

The 11th annual Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights in Rolling Hills Estates is on my radar for Saturday night. Now, I know that is not a boat parade, but Michelle Swanson and I will once again be co-hosting together on a live TV broadcast airing on Cox Cable Channel 35, and we will be announcing to the onlookers near the judges’ and announcers’ trailer.

“We are anticipating over 6,000 spectators watching our largest parade in its 11 year history,” said Andy Clark, the city’s community services director. “There are 220 parade entries registered for Saturday night, and totaling over 1,500 marching band members to entertain the crowd.”

As I was reading the parade script, I noticed that the parade was extended from an hour and a half to two hours due to the increase in entries this year. If you are in the South Bay, stop by at 6 p.m. along Silver Spur Road and Deep Valley Drive. The parade finishes at 8 p.m. after traveling through the Promenade on the Peninsula shopping mall. This is a marvelous family event and the weather forecasts look very favorable but remember to dress warm.

Tip of the week is remember the 101st annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is approaching fast, and participating boaters need to register and send me your boat’s profile sheet. I use the profile sheets when I am announcing from Newport Harbor Nautical Museum in the Fun Zone. My announcer’s booth will be set-up next to the carousel and keep in mind that the parade will arrive at the Fun Zone at 6:35 p.m. nightly for those who will be joining me shoreside to watch the very creatively decorated boats.

The profile sheets should include a brief explanation of your boat including make, model, year, colors, homeport, length, beam, draft and anything unique. Most importantly write your parade number in the upper right corner, and print large and very legibly, just image if you were trying to read these forms in the dark.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to www.boathousetv.com .