Neighborhoods, clubs gear up for Parade of Lights

BY Ariana Shah

Canyon Lakers are preparing for the upcoming 38th annual Canyon Lake Parade of Lights, an iconic tradition that people in and out of Canyon Lake look forward to each holiday season.

The parade is a community event held Dec. 12 by the Canyon Lake Yacht Club. All Canyon Lake boat owners are encouraged to plan their boat entry for this community holiday boat.

Last year’s Mardi Gras themed boat is being prepared for entry in the Canyon Lake Parade of Lights This year’s parade takes place Dec. 12 and all Canyon Lake boat owners are being encouraged to enter. Photos provided by Ron Wilbur, Canyon Lake Yacht Club

The Yacht Club, this year, is mixing things up a bit. Neighborhoods and clubs are being encouraged to issue friendly challenges to others as to who will put the best boat on the water next month at the event.

“We’re putting together a championship caliber boat, something that we think no other neighborhood can possibly equal,” Pete Delia, the former president of the Canyon Lake Car Club, said. “The competition is going to be so hot this year that Vegas will probably run odds on boat entries.”

Pete has many trophies for his car, so adding the 2020 Parade of Lights Best Neighborhood Boat award to his collection would be a nice touch for him, Ron Wilbur, the club’s vice commodore, said.

However, Pete has some competition from Dennis Reams, a resident in Smuggler’s Cove on the Main Lake.

“Pete Delia is a great guy, but his neighborhood is not going to win the neighborhood challenge in this year’s Parade of Lights, because Smuggler’s Cove is answering his challenge,” Dennis said. “Here’s all I have to say on the matter, ’Sorry, Pete! No chance, buddy! We’re gearing up to make your neighborhood boat entry look puny. And we’re going to take home the award this year for Smuggler’s Cove. Guess you’ll have to go back to classic cars!’”

“Competitions between neighborhoods and residents have certainly become more common in recent years,” Ron said.”From patriotic displays to holiday home decorations, Canyon Lake people have always been quick to celebrate.”

The best Neighborhood/Cove Challenge boat will receive a perpetual plaque in addition to neighborhood pride and accomplishment. The Neighborhood/Cove Challenge award will rotate annually to the next year’s winning entry.

The Club Challenge Award is the second category to receive a top prize. For the first time in Parade of Lights history, clubs are now challenging each other.

“We challenge all Canyon Lake Clubs to a fun competition,” Paul Hawker, president of the Pickleball Club, said. “We are making the Pickleball Club boat even better than the last two years when we have won awards. Bring your club’s pride and community spirit and meet us on the water at the Parade of Lights with your club boat. May the best club win!”

Other clubs are now jumping in and the competition is expected to be as heavy as the neighborhood competition.

The two winning boats will also be featured in all post-event publicity, announcements to the press, the official Parade of Lights video and will be honored throughout next year.

The third category is a blending of the golf cart parade entries and the Parade of Lights boats.

Many people in the Yacht Club recommend reusing their boat decor for the golf cart parade as well to save money and time.

“It’s pretty cool. I’ve seen some amazing golf cart decorations that get transferred to a pontoon or wakeboard boat in a few hours and win awards in both parades,” Dave Dain, commodore of the Canyon Lake Yacht Club, said. “That’s an easy and practical way to get a family boat on the water in the oldest holiday boat parade in the Inland Empire. If golf cart parade participants make their Parade of Lights boat display from a Golf Cart Parade entry, we’re going to honor their ingenuity with a special award this year.”

The Yacht Club is introducing several new award and prize levels this year for participating boats. Besides the Club and Neighborhood categories, there are awards for best themed boat, most popular boat, best “fun” boat, best “party” boat, most elaborate boat, boat with the best use of color, friendliest boat theme and several more.

“We’re happy to see such heated competition,” Dave said. “This is a signature event for Canyon Lake, involving the entire community. We expect that there will be thousands of residents watching the live online feed from this year’s event, in an unusual year that has seen so many events cancelled or limited.”

Again this year, people will be enjoying a great parade, and kids will shout as the floating Green Dragon blows fire and smoke as it leads the parade, he said.

“We’re delighted to have the active support of the Property Owners Association as we produce a safe and fun event for everyone,” Dave said.

More information about entries and competitions can be found at www.canyonlakeyachtclub.com.