Decked Out & Dazzling: King Harbor’s Holiday Boat Parade
Nighttime Photos by Diana MacDougall, Fine Art and Sailboat Racing Photographer
This year, the Holiday Boat Parade evolved into a harbor-wide festive celebration! Early in the planning, the two yacht clubs reached out to the harbor businesses and the City. The response was tremendous. Members of the King Harbor Lessees Association and the yacht clubs rotated the planning meetings among their venues. Councilman Chad Castle was a very proactive contributor.
The Harbor Association coordinated a brand-new Community Watch Party, located between the California Surf Club and the Riviera Mexican Grill. It included holiday music, a bouncy house, hot chocolate, and Santa Claus! And Councilman Castle coordinated a new Artisan Holiday Market.
The annual holiday car show took place simultaneously. The traditional Holiday Concert on the Pier preceded the Boat Parade. Then, the RUHS Marching Band led folks from the pier through the International Boardwalk to the Community Watch Party. Mayor Jim Light and various other City leaders were on hand to greet the community.
This year, a Paddle Craft Parade was re-instituted, thanks to leadership from the Glass Bottom Boat/Boat Rentals business. It included an ugly sweater contest.
Paddle Craft Photos by Jake Mark
King Harbor Yacht Club again managed the Boat Parade, with assistance from Port Royal Yacht Club. Pat Light did a great job, chairing the event for the third year, with business outreach assistance from Past Commodore Andy Beggs.
The parade featured a near record-breaking thirty beautifully decorated boats, which fully filled our harbor. A dozen decorated boats at the KHYC guest docks added to festive spirit. The Outrigger Canoe Clubs returned with a great entry.
Numerous dignitaries attended a watch party at KHYC, including Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, and various representatives from the City and community. Our local veterans were honored at the event.
The committee wishes to thank all of our sponsors, including our primary sponsor, the Chevron Corporation. And we wish to acknowledge our Harbor Patrol, Police Maritime Unit, and Baywatch, as always, for keeping us safe during the parade and year-round.
Trophies were presented in several categories, with the Best Overall Award going to “Gypsy Kings,” a 34-foot power boat, owned by Tim King, which included a rotating Ferris Wheel.
TROPHIES
| Award | Boat | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Winner | Gypsy Kings | Tim King |
| Best Power | Teaser | Graham Hebson |
| Best Sail | Hana Malia! | Michael McCarthy |
| 25-Ft & Under | Sparky | Erik Nelson |
| Power Runner Up | Disappearance | George Loren |
| Power Runner Up | As You Wish | Roger Carlson |
| Power Runner Up | Bad Fish Too | Victor Lopez |
| Power Runner Up | Glass Bottom | Jacob Mark |
| Sail Runner Up | Oasis | Lisa Griffin |
| Sail Runner Up | La Mer | James Lee |
| 25-Ft Runner Up | Lanakila | Athena Katsouridis |
| 25-Ft Runner Up | Happy Hour | Jacob Mark |
PADDLE CRAFT PARADE AWARDS
| Award | Name |
|---|---|
| Overall | Tiffany Aguirre |
| Best Group | Christina Bell & Family |
| Spirit | Aida & Adalee Murillo |
| Pose | Alex Mortensen |
| Youth | Xander Mortensen |
| Soggy Sweaters | Kai & Johanna Mortensen |