Ring of lights, boat parade winners glow
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After months of preparation for some, the winners of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and the Christmas Ring of Lights have been declared.
More than 30 judges, picked randomly from the community, scored boats in multiple categories, such as best music and best boat under 30 feet, on Wednesday and Thursday nights, said Seymour Beek, chairman of the judging.
Seymour said he found himself impressed as soon as the first few boats floated by.
“You think, ‘Oh, my God, how could anybody outdo that?’” he said of his initial reaction to El Navigante, which appeared early in the parade and won best powerboat. “It’s been fantastic.”
The participating boats, about 80 in all, will wind among decorated homes facing the Newport Beach harbor nightly throughout the weekend. The event concludes with a fireworks show Sunday.
Decorated homes were chosen for prizes in advance of the start of the parade, which is hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.
The winning boats and homes may have their banners on display as early as Saturday night.
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2013 Christmas Boat Parade Winners
(Numbers in parentheses following the boat names refer to identifying tags on the crafts.)
SWEEPSTAKES: The Last Hurrah, (29)
NON-COMMERCIAL SWEEPSTAKES: Paradise Found, (32)
BEST POWERBOAT: El Navigante, (2)
BEST SAILBOAT: The Hippocampus, (1)
LIGHTS:
1st: Charisma, (59)
2nd: Amazing Grace, (33)
3rd: Foxsea, (20)
HUMOR & ORIGINALITY:
1st: Seanote, (47)
2nd: The Rose Maria, (3)
3rd: Max, (15)
ANIMATION & SPECIAL EFFECTS:
1st: D-25, (25)
2nd: Quitena, (22)
3rd: Tally Ho, (43)
BEST MUSIC: Wild Thing, (53)
BEST BOAT UNDER 30 FEET: Two Are Better Than One, (62)
BEST FIRST TIME ENTRY: Wild Thing, (53)
BEST YACHT CLUB ENTRY: The Last Hurrah, (29)
YACHT CLUB WITH MOST ENTRIES: Balboa Yacht Club
2013 Christmas Ring of Lights Winners
SWEEPSTAKES: Best Overall
Shirley Pepys
526 S. Bay Front, Balboa Island
GRAND PRIZE: LIGHTS AND ANIMATION
Ken and Tracy Hurd
832 Via Lido Nord, Lido Island
FIRST PLACE: LIGHTS AND ANIMATION
Jim and Peggy Rich
802 S. Bay Front, Balboa Island
BEST THEME
Donna Dibari
710 South Bay Front, Balboa Island
CHAIRMAN’S CHOICE
Barry and Karen Meguiar
201 N. Bay Front, Balboa Island
BEST TRADITIONAL LIGHTS
Phil and Mary Lyons
36 Harbor Island, Harbor Island
“GREEN” ENTRY AWARD:
Maxine Maly Stomber
810 S. Bay Front Balboa Island
PHOTOGRAPHER’S CHOICE:
Dennis and Patty Vitarelli
140 S. Bay Front Balboa Island
GRAND PRIZE: HUMOR AND ORIGINALITY
Marcy Cook
538 S. Bay Front Balboa Island
Rookie Award
Barry and Ann O’Neil
221 E. Bay Front
BEST ON LIDO
Dave McIntyre - SASCO
101 Via Lido Soud, Lido Isle
FOUNDER’S AWARD
Robert and Christyne Olson
351 E. Bay Front, Balboa Island
DAILY PILOT AWARD
Bob and Carol Senour
1000 E. Balboa Blvd, Balboa Peninsula
CREATIVE CHRISTMAS
The winners wished to remain anonymous.
BEST YACHT CLUB
American Legion
HI TECH CHRISTMAS CHARM
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Fabrizio
1407 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar
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Information provided by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.