Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights Winners Announced

By Andrea Swayne

More than 85 boats participated in the 38^th annual edition of the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights at the Harbor, December 7, 8, 14 and 15.

The boats were decorated to illustrate this year’s theme, “Lights, Camera, Action—A Hollywood Holiday.”

“We saw Oscar-worthy performances by the amazing Dana Point boating community. There was a sighting of Elvis and Marilyn Monroe, the entire cast and crew of Star Wars, the crazy kids from Animal House, the stars of Disney and a boatload of Happy Feet.  There were live showings of Elf, A Christmas Story and White Christmas on sails aboard the boats themselves,” said Kim Tilly, Harbor public relations and boat parade organizer. “One boat brought their bling on board with Olympians April Ross and Jen Kessy wearing their Olympic silver medals.  It was an amazing night of sights and sounds of the season.”

Prizes were awarded in more than 50 categories. See the list of winners below.

A PowerPoint presentation of the event is available for viewing online at www.danapointharbor.com.

Photos of the boats, by photographer Michael Abinnante, are available for viewing and purchase at www.photoartbymichael.com.

RESULTS

Best Crew Under 30′ – #52 – Wind Dancer – Rick Midlik

Best Crew Under 30′ Runner Up – #40 – Parker – Robert Crane

Best Crew 30′ Over – #34 – Endless Summer – Gary Champlin

Best Crew 30′ Over runner Up – # 44 – Free to Roam – Mike Romano

Best Animation Under 30′ – # 52 – Wind Dancer – Rick Midlik

Best Animation Under 30′ Runner Up – # 30 – Mer Sea – Chuck Gramlich

Best Animation 30′ Over – #34 – Endless Summer – Gary Champlin

Best Animation 30′ Over Runner Up – #47 – Clean Slate – Roger Salway

Best Use of Color Under 30′ – # 2 – Doheny Doll – Chuck Micalizzi

Best Use of Color Under 30′ Runner Up – #35 – Nampahc – Evan Chapman

Best Use of Color 30′ Over – # 5 – Bella Rose – Mike Medina

Best Use of Color 30′ Over Runner Up – # 45 – Jenny III – Denis Tintle

Best Use of Lights Under 30′ –  # 49 – Goin ta Blazes – Gary MacCleverty

Best Use of Lights Under 30′ Runner Up – #31 – Loose Wire – Ron Kessy

Best Use of Lights 30′ Over – # 57 – Shannon Rose – Shaun Keating

Best Use of Lights 30′ Over Runner Up – #33 – Bodacious – Earl Reid

Most Original Under 30′ – # 95 – Furlough Daze  – Doug Mack

Most Original Under 30′ Runner Up – # 52 –Wind Dancer – Rick Midlik

Most Original 30′ Over – #42 – Wind Graham – Chip Riddle

Most Original 30′ Over Runner Up – #75 – Steadfast – Douglas Matranga

Best Theme Under 30′ – # 30 – Mer Sea – Chuck Gramlich

Best Theme Under 30′ Runner Up – # 60 – Cup of Life – Rob Gilman

Best Theme 30′ Over – #45 – Jenny Too III – Denis Tintle

Best Theme 30′ Over Runner Up – #32 – Nowhere Bar – Mike Groves

Best Sailboat Under 30′ – # 30 – Mer Sea – Chuck Gramlich

Best Sailboat Under 30′ Runner Up – # 52 – Wind Dancer – Rick Midlik

Best Sailboat 30′ Over – #33 – Bodacious – Earl Reid

Best Sailboat 30′ Over Runner Up – #59 – Alcyone – Steve Williams

Best Powerboat Under 30′ – # 2 – Doheny Doll – Chuck Micalizzi

Best Powerboat Under 30′ Runner Up – # 31 – Loose Wire – Ron Kessy

Best Powerboat 30′ Over – # 5 – Bella Rose – Mike Medina

Best Powerboat 30′ Over Runner Up – # 32 – Nowhere Bar – Mike Groves

YACHT CLUB WITH MOST ENTRIES – Dana West Yacht Club

JUDGES CHOICE TROPHY – Must be in all four nights-cumulative points

Judges’ Choice –  Under 30′ – # 52 – Wind Dancer – Rick Midlik

Judges’ Choice – 30′ Over – # 45–  Jenny III – Denis Tintle

SPONSOR AWARD WINNERS

White Pelican – Best New Entry Under 30′

#41 – Sea Senorita 

Dream Catcher Yachts –  Best New Entry Over 30’

# 34 – Endless Summer – Gary Champlin/Greg Cox

The Woody Cup – Making the Most of What you Got

# 62 – DWYC Juniors – Ted Olsen

Carlos Mexican Restaurant Award – Best Santa

# 63 – Why Knot – Jeff Scott

Nordhavn “Oceans Apart-Most Unique”

# 95 – Furlough Daze – Doug Mack

Cap’t Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Safari

# 38 – Spirit – Lisa and Stephen Peter

Country Fox

# 31 – Loose Wire – Ron Kessy

Dana Point Boater’s Association – Spirit Award

# 49 – Goin Ta Blazes – DPYC  Juniors Gary MacCleverty

Chamber of Commerce – Best Crew

# 52 – Wind Dancer – Rick Midlik

Vintage Marina Partners – Best Launched

# 53 – Wendy Ann – Tim Larson

Proud Mary’s – Best Music

# 5 – Bella Rose – Mike Medina

2^nd Place – #33 – Bodacious – Earl Reid

3^rd Place – # 52 – Wind Dancer – Rick Midlik

Coffee Importers  – Latte Lights Cup

# 2 – Doheny Doll – Chuck Micalizzi

Dana Wharf Sportsfishing – Kids Cup

# 32 –  Nowhere Bar – Mike Groves

Harbor Grill Dinghy Cup

1^st Place – # 62 – DWYC Juniors – Ted Olsen

2^nd Place – # 49 – Goin Ta Blazes/DPYC Jrs – Gary MacCleverty

Hennessey’s – Best Power Boat

# 57 – Shannon Rose – Shaun Keating

Wine Bistro – Best Sailboat

# 30 – Mer Sea – Chuck Gramlich

Wind & Sea – Best in Parade

# 45 – Jenny Too III – Denis Tintle

Hennessey’s – Mayor’s Cup  

# 95 – Furlough Daze – Doug Mack