VENTURA : Annual Lights Parade Scheduled at Harbor

The annual Parade of Lights is coming to Ventura Harbor on Saturday.

The event, whose theme this year is “A Country-Western Christmas,” begins at 3 p.m. with country music and dance, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting and strolling carolers, said Judy Amendola, the harbor’s marketing director.

The “Pedal-Oar-Paddle Parade,” featuring kayakers, rowboats, outriggers and any other human-powered vessels, strewn with lights and other decorations in honor of the season, starts at 6 p.m.

The Parade of Lights itself starts at 7 p.m. when about 35 boats of 20 and 70 feet, also strung with lights, leave from the port district headquarters, sail through the harbor channels, then head for the Harbor Village, only to turn around and make the loop again.

For about 30 minutes, starting at 7 p.m., Santa Claus will also make his rounds in the sky, as a helicopter hauling St. Nick on his sleigh soars above the festival.