7 nights of lights

The Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights begins Thursday night and is “Rockin’ the Night Away” to celebrate its 47th year.

The Cruise of Lights is a 45-minute narrated boat cruise through Huntington Harbour organized by the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee. All proceeds from the cruise go to student music programs. The event has raised more than $20 million to date, said committee member Eva Kilgore.

The cruise is made possible by Huntington Harbour residents who decorate their homes, decks and boats to show their holiday spirit and support the Philharmonic every year.

This year’s theme, “Rockin’ the Night Away,” inspired Asheley Farmer and Dennis Needleman to do something special.

The two built a giant, custom guitar to put on their roof. From the water, the more than 40-foot-long light-up guitar dominates their roof above the word “Peace” spelled out in colorful lights. T

he decorations won them an award of excellence this year.

“The guitar theme really resonated with us,” Farmer said.

Music is an important part of their lives, as they own the small concert venue Brixton South Bay in Redondo Beach, Farmer said.

The creation took Needleman and another man two days to get up and thousands of zip ties to keep the lights in place, he said.

The two have been living on the water for three years after buying former Major League Baseball player Mark McGwire’s house.

“We figured, since he owned the house, we should make the biggest guitar,” Needleman said.

Farmer said they didn’t know about the event when they moved in and were surprised when their neighbors started decorating and cruise boats began going by. The surprise made them realize living on the harbor would be special in more than just the summer.

“We just love the activity on the harbor. It’s the greatest place on earth, despite what Disneyland says,” Needleman said.

The two buy tickets for the cruise for all of their family and spend their nights watching and waving as the cruise boat go past.

“It certainly brings everyone together, friends, neighbors and family, and it supports a good cause,” Farmer said. “It’s beautiful.”

More than 20,000 people are expected to partake in the show put on by the residents of Huntington Harbour.

“It’s spectacular out there this year, and it seems like everyone is in the holiday spirit,” Kilgore said.

The Cruise of Lights runs at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8 p.m. Thursday through Wednesday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $9 for children younger than 12.

The first night, adult tickets will be $13 and each child will receive a free gift.

If You Go

What: Cruise of Lights

Where: Huntington Harbour

Dress: Warmly

Cost: $15 for adults, $9 for children younger than 12

Info: www.cruiseoflights.org