Awash in Lights

The 35th annual Parade of Lights, set to sail Saturday night at Channel Islands Harbor, will include everything necessary to create a truly surreal Southern California-style Christmas. Included will be expensive boats with lots of colorful lights, Santa Claus in a water taxi (and in the sky) plus plenty of music, food, fun and that nostalgic import to make all those transplants remember why they moved here: snow--tons of it.

“It’s big and it’s going to be great,” said marketing specialist Michele Gilmour about the event.

Although the nighttime Parade of Lights traditionally elicits most of the oohs and ahs, this is an all-day affair, with the Fisherman’s Wharf shops open until 8 p.m.

Outside, look for lines at the coffee sellers and those ubiquitous Kettle Korn people, who have discovered the missing ingredient in popcorn--sugar.

The big deal for the youngsters will be the snow.

“Big trucks bring the snow and dump it right next to the Marine Emporium Landing,” Gilmour said. “Even though we’re advertising the snow from 10 to 1 this year . . . we still had snow at 4 o’clock in the afternoon last year.”

A couple of horse-drawn carriages, complete with sleigh bells, will offer rides. For the more energetic kids, there’s Vertical Reality, a 26-foot-high rock-climbing wall. Meanwhile, Santa Claus and the missus will be making the rounds all day in a water taxi, while the reindeer rest up for their nighttime debut.

The soundtrack will be eclectic. As carolers stroll about, the Madrigali Renaissance Voices, in period garb, will sing songs from the 16th century; and singer-guitarist Teresa Russell will perform at Fisherman’s Wharf at 2 p.m.

But the big deal is, of course, the Parade of Lights itself, actually a convoy set to begin at 7 p.m. and make two circuits around the harbor. The traditional beginning of the event will be when Santa flies across the night sky with his reindeer (courtesy of Aspen Helicopters). The parade will be led this year by the 55-foot motor yacht Aquarius, owned by Ken and Doris Collin of the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club.

Meeting and greeting the public as he boards the Aquarius will be this year’s grand marshal, Brad Garrett of the television show “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Garrett earned an Emmy nomination this year for best supporting actor in a comedy series.

Everyone also seems to love a parade, and Oxnard police estimate that 35,000 souls will attend this event. The parade will be visible from several locations, both indoors and outdoors, around the harbor.

For those outside, it’s simple--pick a spot in one of the parks or walkways and drink some coffee.

Many restaurants offer various views and a warmer setting, including the Lobster Trap, Port Royal, the Whale’s Tail, Buon Appetito, Don Juan’s, Pirate’s Grub & Grog, Sea Fresh C.I. and Latitude 32 Deli.

When the last boat cruises silently past at the end of the parade, it doesn’t mean the festivities are over. There will be an awards ceremony and brunch Sunday at 11 a.m. at the yacht club. Tickets are $12.95 in advance or $14.95 at the door, and the public is invited.

And since it is the season, another parade of lights, “2001, a Christmas Odyssey,” will unfold a week later up the coast at Ventura Harbor. This, too, will be a family function, beginning with an arts and crafts show at 11 a.m. Dec. 16 on the Harbor Village lawn.

A special holiday festival will begin at 4 p.m. with caroling, live music and appearances by the Clauses, who will also cruise on the grand marshal’s boat during the parade itself. For more info, call 644-0169.

DETAILS

The 35th annual Parade of Lights, Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard; Saturday, 7 p.m.; free; 985-4852.

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Bill Locey can be reached by e-mail at blocey@pacbell.net.