Boat Parade Winners Shine

Awardees chosen in the 40th annual Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights

By Andrea Swayne

Boats from across Orange County, bedecked with festive holidays lights, moved in procession up and down the Dana Point Harbor channels Dec. 6, 7, 12 and 13, their owners vying for prizes in the 40th annual Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights.

Decorated with twinkling displays befitting this year’s “FantaSEA Holiday” theme, boaters’ designs included mermaids, sea stars, octopi, jellyfish, dolphins, whales, pirate ships and more. One boat, Doheny Doll, came completely disguised as a giant Santa head, taking the prize for the most original entry, judges’ choice and five other awards.

As usual, boaters went the extra mile, adding music and costumes to complete their entries into the contest. The judging panel is made up of sponsors and invitees from the community.

Thousands lined the Harbor walkways and dined at waterside restaurants to check out this year’s entries and drink in the tradition that has become such an integral part of getting into the holiday spirit in Dana Point.

“This year’s parade was amazing. We had the most participants ever—over 100—and the judging was very difficult because everyone did such a good job,” said Kim Tilly, executive director of the Dana Point Harbor Association. “The theme was very encompassing. It was chosen to showcase our maritime history, abundant sea life and coastal beach lifestyle. Many thanks to all who participated in helping to continue the tradition.”

RESULTS

Best Crew Under 30 Feet

1. No. 76, Freelancer
2. No. 28, DWYC Jrs.

Best Crew 30 Feet and Over

1. No. 25, Endless Summer
2. No. 19, Instigator

Best Animation Under 30 Feet

1. No. 31, Mer Sea
2. No. 108, Hair of the Dog

Best Animation 30 Feet and Over

1. No. 88, Besame Mucho
2. No. 57, JTM

Best Use of Color Under 30 Feet

1. No. 89, Easy Money
2. No. 95, Furlough Daze

Best Use of Color 30 Feet and Over

1. No. 67, Pilgrimage
2. No. 88, Besame Mucho

Best Use of Lights Under 30 Feet

1. No. 2, Doheny Doll
2. No. 87, Free 2 Roam

Best Use of Lights 30 Feet and Over

1. No. 96, Shannon Rose
2. No. 97, Nowhere Bar

Most Original Under 30 Feet

1. No. 2, Doheny Doll
2. No. 100, Lyrical

Most Original 30 Feet and Over

1. No. 25, Endless Summer
2. No. 27, Dance with Waves

Best Theme Under 30 Feet

1. No. 108, Hair of the Dog
2. No. 99, In Awhile

Best Theme 30 Feet and Over

1. No. 57, JTM
2. No. 88, Besame Mucho

Best Sailboat Under 30 Feet

1. No. 3, Mer Sea
2. No. 99, In Awhile

Best Sailboat 30 Feet and Over

1. No. 88, Besame Mucho
2. No. 102, Alcyone

Best Powerboat Under 30 Feet

1. No. 2, Doheny Doll
2. No. 108, Hair of the Dog

Best Powerboat 30 Feet and Over

1. No. 57, JTM
2. No. 25, Endless Summer

Yacht Club with Most Entries
Dana West Yacht Club (by 3)

JUDGES’ CHOICE TROPHY
(entries must appear all four nights to receive cumulative points)

Judges’ Choice Under 30 Feet
No. 2, Doheny Doll

Judges’ Choice 30 Feet and Over
No. 88, Besame Mucho (by one point, over JTM)

SPONSOR AWARD WINNERS

BK Cellars & Urban Winery – Winemaker’s Choice
No. 53, Dana Ducky

BK Cellars & Urban Winery – Best Vintage
No. 97, Nowhere Bar

The Woody Cup – Making the Most of What You’ve Got
No. 17, Nautgivinup

Cap’t Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari
No. 2, Doheny Doll

Dana Point Yacht Club
No. 11, Good Times!

Vintage Marina Partners – Best Santa
No. 16, Mañana

Gemmell’s Restaurant – Paris FantaSEA

1. No. 89, Easy Money
2. No. 18, Sancha

White Pelican – Best New Entry Under 30′
No. 76, Freelancer

Dream Catcher Yachts – Best New Entry Over 30 Feet
No. 19, Instigator

Chamber of Commerce – Best Crew
No. 25, Endless Summer – Gary and Julie Champlin

Dana Point Boater’s Association – Spirit Award
No. 19, Instigator – Ashton Winchell

Proud Mary’s – Best Music
1. No. 11, Good Times!
2. No. 12, Liberty Bell

Dana Wharf Sportsfishing – Kids Cup
No. 30, No Dios Mios

Harbor Grill – Best Use of Sea Life
1. No. 108, Hair of the Dog
2. Tie: No. 27, Dances with Waves and No. 57, JTM

Waterman’s Restaurant – Staff Choice
No. 2, Doheny Doll

Nordhavn – Most Humorous
No. 53, Dana Ducky – Joe Morales

Coffee Importers – Latte Lights Cup
1. No. 2, Doheny Doll
2. No. 96, Shannon Rose
3. No. 88, Besame Mucho

Wine Bistro – Best Sailboat
No. 31, Mer Sea – Chuck Gramlich

Hennessey’s – Best Power Boat
No. 97, Nowhere Bar – Mike and Donna Groves

Wind & Sea – Best in Parade
No. 57, JTM

City of Dana Point– Mayor’s Cup
No. 96, Shannon Rose – Shaun Keating