Parade promises to light up harbor

Channel Islands Harbor will celebrate the 41st Annual Parade of Lights on Sat., Dec. 9 with the theme Winter Fantasy. Daytime activities will run from noon to 7 p.m. The Channel Islands Harbor boat parade will start at 7 p.m., when Santa flies across the sky courtesy of Aspen Helicopters.

Activities and entertainment include a holiday artists' market, exhibitors, food booths, live music, tide pool touch tank, children's handson art, games and rides, gigantic inflatable fun zone, petting zoo and pony rides, face painting, water taxi rides, strolling carolers and Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be 25 tons of snow for children to play in from 10 a.m. until meltdown at Harborview Park next to the marina. Horse-drawn carriage rides with sleigh bells will be available from noon to 5 p.m. next to the snow-play area.

The parade can be viewed from parks and walkways that line the route as well as from several harbor restaurants that offer both full and partial views. The boat parade can also be seen from the water on private charters. For information and reservations, call Captain Hook's Sportfishing at (805) 3826233 or Channel Islands Sportfishing Center at (805) 382-1612.

For more information or to receive a brochure on the 2006 Parade of Lights, call the Channel Islands Harbor Visitors Center at (805) 985-4852 or visit channelislandsharbor.org.