The five-mile stretch of Oxnard's coastline surrounding Channel Islands Harbor will be extra bright this holiday season.
Homes, shops and marinas will glisten with lights due to several lighting and decoration competitions. The contests are part of the celebrations surrounding the 42 stnd annual Parade of Lights. Eight neighborhoods will compete this year for individual prizes in three categories; Whimsical, Most Creative and Best Decorated Overall. Businesses in Channel Islands Harbor and public boat marinas will also compete. Judging takes place Friday evening, December 7 from 7- 9 p.m. at Silverstrand Beach, Hollywood Beach, Mandalay Bay, Westport, Seabridge, Mandalay Shores, waterside exteriors of boat dock homes, balconies of condominiums and apartments in the Harbor, beach and the businesses and boat docks in the Channel Islands Harbor. Viewing of the colorfully lit homes is best by bike or car, while several companies provide boat tours of the waterside attractions. The contests we're started over a decade ago by local resident Susan O'Brien as a way to spread the holiday spirit throughout the community and "dress up the Harbor," for the tens of thousands of people who attend the annual Parade of Lights. This year, her son Patrick, a senior in high school, is co-chairing the organization.
As the neighborhoods have grown, so has the competition. "It is such innocent fun, everyone wants to be a part of it," says O'Brien. With the addition of the new waterside communities of Westport and SeaBridge the amount of contestants has really grown. For a list of contest coordinators along with last year's winners , see box below. For companies providing boat tours call (805) 985-4852. Winners are announced at the Parade of Lights Awards Banquet at Channel Islands Yacht Club December 9. For more information call Susan and Patrick at (805) 207-9579.
See if these 2006 winners will defend their titles this year:
Highlights every year:
Judging is second Friday of December from 7-9 p.m. but most entrants keep their decorations up through the holidays.
Wanda Pringle Park Victoria Ave. Silverstrand Beach A community effort.
Mandalay Bay, Westport & Seabridge boat dock homes- Best viewed by boat.
Silverstrand Beach - The largest concentration and most eclectic variety of styles. The one to beat this year: 132 Santa Rosa Ave.
Westport & SeaBridge - The new communties classic architecture is highlighted when lit with white lights.
Anacapa Isle Marina - Don't miss this one! A, B, C, & D Docks are usually pretty heavy competitors.
The 2006 winners:
Dock Decoration contest sponsored by Boater's World
Contact Steve Smith at 382-9180:
First Place: Anacapa Isle Marina "D" Dock
Second Place: Anacapa Isle Marina "B" Dock
Third Place: Anacapa Isle Marina "C" Dock
Channel Islands Harbor Businesses Sponsored by Coast Chandlery
Contact Kathleen at 815-4520
First Prize - Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club
Second Place - Whale's Tail Restaurant
Hollywood Beach Home Decoration Contest sponsored by Beach Flower Gifts
Contact Louise Nelson at 382-6152
Best Overall- 3529 Sunset Lane Dodie Duffy
Most Creative 3303 Ocean Drive Louise Steele
Most Whimsical - 3505 Sunset lane Sharon Donlon
Silverstrand Home Decoration Contest Sponsored by the Beachcomber Tavern
Contact Elaine Blantz at 216-7022
Best Overall- 140 Bardsdale Ave. Richard Hodge
Most Creative - 600 Ocean Lisa & Scotty
Most Whimsical - 373 Cuhenga Connie Peach and Tony Moranda
Griswald Award - John and Denise 708 Ocean Drive
Channel Islands Harbor Condo & Apartment Balconies Sponsored by Susan O'Brien of Sotheby's International Realty
Contact Susan at 207-9579
Best Overall - 3101 Peninsula Rd. #108 Cathy & Rod Chandler
Most Creative - 2800 Peninsula Rd. #215 Nel Rimba
Whimsical - 2901 Peninsula Rd. #339 The Perez's
Use of Theme - 2901 Peninsula Rd. #238 Lori & Joe Demersman
Mandalay Bay/Westport/Seabridge Streetside Sponsored by Susan O'Brien and Stan Weiner of Sotheby's International Realty
Contact Susan & Stan at 984-8606
Best Overall - 1586 Viewpoint - Weisz Family
Most Creative - 1454 Twin Tides Jason Love
Whimsical - 2301 Victoria Ave. Lynch Family
Mandalay Shores Sponsored by Bodine Elias of Coldwell Banker
Contact Bodine at 985-2121
Merriest Overall - 5213 Whitecap Way Kettington Family
Whimsical - 5136 Sealane - Roberta Lacey
Most Original 5101 Breakwater Way - Gene and Jaqueline Hester
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