Cruisin’ for Christmas

Holiday decorations might be the main draw for the annual “Cruise of Lights,” but for the event’s sponsors the main attraction is raising money for music education programs.

Last year, the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee raised about $100,000 with the cruises through Huntington Harbour. This year, committee members hope to collect more than that for music education in public and private schools throughout Orange County.

The proceeds help finance programs like field trips to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, lessons about orchestra make-up and playing with different instruments, said Kay Nelson, a long-time committee member.

Each year, the committee selects a theme to spark the creativity of home and boat decorators. .

This year’s theme, appropriately enough, is “music for all ages.” The committee picked it to give decorators “a broad base for people to decorate their boats,” parade Grand Marshal Ron Nelson said. “Whether it be different eras in music in America, the world, whatever songs that a family loves and would like to share with other people.”

The committee expects about 12,000 people will enjoy the 44th annual cruise.

The cruises start Friday, but the event really kicked off Saturday and Sunday with a parade led by Nelson.

Sixty-seven boat owners entered the boat parade, compared to last year’s 50. Some “admirals” from as far away as Glendora, Pomona and Murrietta participated in the parade.

The committee sponsors the two-night boat parade as a lead-up to the cruises.

The cruises and the parade, aside from fundraising for a good cause, also serve another purpose.

“It’s a way to say thank you to homeowners in Huntington Harbour who have decorated their homes,” Nelson said.

With all the boat traffic, the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol is expected to be busy. About 20 escort boats will be manned by Harbour volunteers. Their job is to keep the boats moving.

Six night captains, headed by Harbour homeowner Jerry Russell, are set to help the lieutenants on the water.

The best way to get to the cruises, Nelson said, is to arrive at the Huntington Harbour shopping mall, where visitors can get dinner at several nearby restaurants.

Shuttles at the mall will ferry families to the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club, where they can board the boats.

For more information, call (714) 840-7542.