Decorating contest moves from harbor’s wakes to TV airwaves

Two Newport Beach couples will appear on Leno’s show to discuss their rivalry of bedecked boats.The Christmas decorating contest is a staple of early December. Adjacent, or at least neighboring, homes normally serve as the backdrop.

Last year, when the Flamson and Harvey families got the competitive bug, they chose an unorthodox location. Since they live more than 10 miles apart, their solution was to duke it out on the water.

And thanks to a variety of video cameras there to film the competition, the entire country will be able to see their exploits from the two most recent Decembers.

Throughout this month, Home and Garden Television is showing the families’ boat decorating contest leading up to the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. A segment about their contest is scheduled to air tonight on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

It all began last year, when Newport Beach residents Scott and Billie Flamson officially entered the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

Their friends and dock neighbors at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort marina, Marilyn and Steve Harvey, had entered the judged boat-decorating competition for the previous eight years without much luck.

Both couples decided to go all out.

“At first, it was who could buy the most lights,” Scott Flamson said. “Then, it was who is going to be judged the best.”

Thus began the friendly rivalry that consumed weeks of their lives. They spent thousands of dollars and several weeks carrying lights, props and other decorations onto their boats.

“I’d bring a cartload of decorations. They’d do the same,” Steve Harvey said. “It got out of control.”

The Home and Garden Television show shadowed the families last year. Cameras followed them aboard their boats to show what people in a warm climate do to celebrate the holidays.

At last year’s awards ceremony, the Flamsons had bragging rights. Their 1961 wooden sport fishing boat, Max, took home best first-time entry and best powerboat awards. Dolphins, model ice skaters and a Santa Claus adorned the boat.

Flamson said his victories only fueled the Harveys for this year’s competition. “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” sent a camera crew to Newport Beach to film the marina neighbors decorating their boats for the 2005 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

The Harvey family’s 2003 power boat, Vitamin Sea, was decorated this year with lighted palm trees and the number “100,” which paid homage to the city’s centennial.

The NBC crews filmed as Ralph Rodheim, chairman of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, awarded Steve and Marilyn Harvey with the best powerboat plaque.

“They were so excited they couldn’t park the boat,” said Billie Flamson, a teacher’s aide at Lincoln Elementary School.

As for the Flamsons?

“It was the worst news of my life. I started to cry,” Scott Flamson said jokingly.

Comedian Harland Williams provided the commentary while the boat decorating occurred. Both the Flamsons and the Harveys are planning to be in the NBC studio for the airing.

And both appear ready for their sarcasm-filled comedic debut.

“Scott’s getting older every year,” Steve Harvey said with a smile.

“I’m going to knock Leno down in the ratings. They’ll be chanting: Dave, Dave, Dave,” Scott Flamson said, referring to Leno’s nighttime rival, David Letterman.

Both families said the goal of this competition was to bring more attention to the boat parade. Neither family is certain about next year.

“We don’t have the energy or money to do more competitions,” Steve Harvey said.

But Billie Flamson said that’s up for debate.

“A lot happens in 11 months,” Billie said. “You never know.”

20051222irvq9lncKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Steve Harvey, left, Scott Flamson and his wife, Billie, stand on Harvey’s boat Wednesday. The Flamsons and Harveys have had a friendly rivalry to see who can place better in the boat parade.