‘Real Housewives’ star Vicki Gunvalson will lead Newport boat parade’s opening night

A “Real Housewife” is going to be a real grand marshal.

Vicki Gunvalson, a star of the reality television series “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” will be grand marshal of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade’s opening night on Dec. 13.

The five-night parade is celebrating its 109th year of lights and merriment. There will be a different grand marshal for each night.

In addition to Gunvalson, the marshal lineup is:

Dec. 14: Newport Beach’s firefighter, seasonal lifeguard, lifeguard supervisor and police officer of the year;

Dec. 15: The young artists of Montage, the Orange County School of the Arts’ vocal and dance troupe;

Dec. 16: The Los Angeles Chargers cheerleaders, the Charger Girls;

Dec. 17: The USC marching band and song girls, with a fireworks finale at 9 p.m.

The parade will begin about 6:30 p.m. daily and end at 9 p.m. at the tip of Lido Isle, a new start and end point for the parade.

Opening night also will feature a fireworks display at 6:15 p.m. and a festival at Marina Park that will include the Charger Girls, a Charger football toss area, photo opportunities with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, a performance by Montage, caricature artists, face painters and food vendors.

Recent grand marshals have included actress Leslie Mann, TV host and Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath, Angels owner Arte Moreno and Mickey Mouse.

To see a map with public viewing and parking areas, visit christmasboatparade.com.

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter: @Daily_PilotHD