All aboard for the annual Boat Parade

The anticipated annual Parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, December 10. It’s difficult to say who has more fun during this event – the residents who decorate their boats and participate in the parade or the hundreds of people who line the parade route at the parks and waterfront home parties.

The parade is hosted by the Yacht Club and led by the “Fire Breathing Green Dragon,” a float made many years ago by members of the club. The parade begins at the East Port boat launch ramp at 5 p.m. The boats will cruise the East Bay, go through the tunnel and around the Main Lake, making their way to Holiday Harbor where the Yacht Club will announce the winners and serve hot chocolate, coffee and cookies.

Residents who wish to participate in this year’s Parade of Lights should fill out a registration form and start planning now. The registration form can be downloaded at clyc2014.webs.com.

A spokesperson for the Yacht Club says, “Remember that your boat does not need to be the fancy-looking float that you see in the Rose Parade. It just needs to be decorated with lights. If you have ever been to any of the boat parades in Newport Beach, you know that many of the boats are just decorated with lights and are not trying to have a theme. The same applies to our parade. Just decorate your boat with lights and join in the fun of the evening.”

For those who need additional motivation to get started on their floats, the Yacht Club would like to remind potential participants that there are cash prizes and plaques for the winning floats. Sweepstakes: (Best Overall) $125 cash, plus plaque and perpetual trophy on display at POA office.

Commodore’s Award: (Highest Score) $100 cash, plus plaque.

Best Pontoon: $100 1st, $50 2nd, $25 3rd place.

Best Ski: $100 1st, $50 2nd, $25 3rd.

Club/Civic: $100 1st, $50 2nd, $25 3rd.

Dash Plate awards will be given to each parade entrant, which can be directly mounted on your boat.

Participants should send their registration form to the organizers as soon as possible. Last-minute entries can sign up on the day of the parade at the East Port launch ramp at 4:30 p.m. Boats that do not go through the registration process will not be eligible for judging and prizes, but are still welcome to participate. Club and group floats are encouraged to participate. For more information, contact Jim Lange at 951-723-2441 or langejh@aim.com