CHANNEL ISLANDS : Time to Apply for Parade of Lights

The Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights is accepting applications for its 27th annual parade, to be held in December.

Boaters are encouraged to turn in their applications as soon as possible, since only 40 boats are chosen to participate in the parade. Entrants are chosen on a first-come basis.

This year the parade organizers will try to match boaters with people interested in decorating boats, who in the past have expressed a desire to participate.

“This is the first year we will actually play matchmaker between the two parties,” said Susan O’Brien, marketing director of the Channel Islands Harbor Assn. of Lessees.

The parade began in 1965 when boaters decorated their boats at the dock and held a weekend Christmas party, said parade chairman Jim Wachsman.

“We get a really good response from the boaters,” said Wachsman. “We get a lot of the same people back every year.”

Applications for this year’s parade are available from the Vintage Marina Office at 2950 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard, or by calling 984-3366. The parade is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.