Huntington Harbour’s Boat Parade, the prelude to the annual “Cruise of Lights,” was a big success last weekend, once again – for the 50th time.
Now it’s time for “Golden Memories – 50 Years Of Music,” which is the theme of this year’s Huntington Harbour Philharmonic’s annual “Cruise of Lights fundraiser to provide money for music education in Orange County schools.
The “Cruise” is an annual feast for the eyes as the spectacle may be viewed from various public vantage points.
Dozens of boats will ply Huntington Harbour’s waterways, those on board and spectators from the outside will be able to view many of the homes, finely-decorated in holiday style all along the parade route.
Families, couples and friends will stake out spots along the route, cuddle up and sip cider and enjoy the eye candy that will be displayed before them as thousands of lights and sights of the season are displayed.
Many of the homes are decorated according to an era or decade in our history, making the event a cultural one as well as a venue for family fun.
“Some of the brightly lit displays feature animation,” said long time Huntington Harbour resident and Philharmonic volunteer Eva Kilgore.
The Cruise of Lights will run from Dec. 15 through Dec. 23, through Huntington Harbour’s waterways as they come alive with a sumptuous scene that sums up the holidays for residents, participants and spectators that flock to the event.
“It’s a 45-minute narrated tour where guests come from as far away as China,” Kilgore said. “Guests see all the lights reflecting off the water, and lights, animation and decorations on homes. Meanwhile, the funds that are raised go to support the music programs for over 200,000 school children from kindergarten through 12th-grade.”
With its nostalgic theme this year, the Philharmonic’s Boat Parade and Cruise of Lights Committee has chosen to bring the same spirit to its choice of the events’ grand marshal this year. Instead of one grand marshal, the events are celebrating the past grand marshals by making them all the grand marshal for the 2012 Boat Parade and Cruise of Lights.
Cruise of Lights tour times are 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. More information is available at: www.cruiseoflights.com or call (714) 840-7542.
