THE HARBOR COLUMN:

The 100th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is here, and the parade will cruise around the harbor Wednesday through Sunday.

I am predicting light showers the first part of next week, so hopefully the system will be gone by the start of the parade. However, my long range forecast predicts great weather after Wednesday and into the weekend.

If you are searching for somewhere to view the parade then join me at the Fun Zone in Balboa.

Once again, I will be announcing the parade nightly from the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum with my announcer’s booth set-up next to the carousel, and keep in mind the parade will arrive at the Fun Zone at 6:35 each of the five nights.

I do have a treat for the start of the parade, Wednesday, as I will be hosting a special live radio broadcast from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fun Zone.

Now, if you are stuck in traffic or cannot make it down to the harbor then tune-in on your radio dial to KLAA-AM 830 or worldwide via the live Internet feed.

This special broadcast is sponsored by KLAA-AM 830, home of the Angels baseball and Ducks hockey, California Department of Boating and Waterways, Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Boathouse Radio Show.

Tip of the week is for boaters participating in the parade: Have you sent in your boat’s profile sheet?

Please send it to the chamber’s office or fax me your profile with a brief explanation of your boat including make, model, year, colors, home port, length, beam, draft and anything unique. That fax number is (949) 631-7223.

Most importantly, write your parade number in the upper right corner, and please print large and very legibly. Just imagine if you were trying to read these forms in the dark.

Also, it is very important that your boat’s parade number is clearly displayed on the lower starboard side of the hull and that the number is not covered by your decorations or above the gunwales like in a window.

My spotters are viewing down the parade of boats trying to identify numbers and then match to your corresponding profile sheet before you cruise by all the excited spectators.

Remember to tune in every Saturday at 11 a.m. to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” broadcasting from our studios inside Angel Stadium on KLAA-AM 830.

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to www.boathousetv.com.