Today's News-Herald, Monday, December 10, 2007

2007 BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS RESULTS

 “It was the best parade ever. The boats were unique and so unusual, it was breathtaking to see”.

Tammy Kastelz – Boat Parade of Lights Chairperson.

 

GRAND MARSHALL’S AWARD – Selected by Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen

                         #11 – The Byers Family And Havasu Thunder Softball

COMMODORE’S AWARD – Selected by Scott Monnier, Commodore of the London Bridge Yacht Club

                           #9 – The King Family

JUDGE’S CHOICE - #23 – The Richens Family

BEST USE OF THEME - #28 – The Wyneken Family

BEST FIRST TIME ENTRY - #6 – Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church

BEST LOCAL ENTRY - #29 – Elks Yacht Club

BEST OUT OF TOWN ENTRY - #5 – The Iberra Family

BEST USE OF COLOR - #20 – The Coletta Family

BEST FAMILY ENTRY - #3 – The Masunas Family

BEST BUSINESS ENTRY - #36 – The Lake Havasu Marine Association

BEST ENTRY BY AN ORGANIZATION – #41 - The London Bridge Yacht Club Sailboats

THE SPIRIT OF HAVASU AWARD (THREE AWARDS)

            #40 – Campbell Boats (Santa and Reindeer)

            #25 – Ralph Howe Auto Sales

            #2 – The London Bridge Resort (Dixie Belle)

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Today's News-Herald, Sunday, December 9, 2007

Campbell float a long-time boat parade tradition

By DIANA PARKER

When the 25th Boat Parade of Lights plied the waters of Bridgewater Channel Saturday night, it was also the 14th time the magnificent float depicting Santa’s sleigh and nine reindeer, operated by Campbell Boats, has taken flight. It’s won awards at the parade in 11 of those years.

The float originally involved 10 boats, including one for each reindeer and Rudolph, who leads the way with a blinking red nose.

“When the challenge came down (in 1993) to do something, we thought if we’re going to do something with Campbell people we wanted to involve as many people as possible,” Campbell Boats owner Bob Whelan said.

Logistics and the difficulty involved in connecting the boats together prompted them to double up eight of the reindeer, reducing the boats involved to six. All are Campbell-built boats piloted by employees and customers.

Each reindeer is 12 feet high and 12 feet long. Strings of red lights act as reins, connecting the five front boats to “the limo,” a pontoon boat decorated as Santa’s sleigh that takes up the rear. A generator on the limo powers the light strings on all six boats.

On a dark night, the float creates the convincing illusion of a sleigh and reindeer flying in the air above the choppy water.

On a tower at the back of the limo is perched Santa’s chair. J.R. Burby, who depicted Santa Claus for the third time Saturday, wasn’t looking forward to spending to an evening clinging to the swaying seat with one hand while waving with the other.

“I’ve been doing this for how long? And I’m not even an employee,” Burby said.

The limo is not without its amenities. Whelan pointed out the “privacy room,” a small space inside the sheet-draped tower and directly in front of the motor.

“We have our little bucket. You understand,” Whelan said.

The parade takes at least two hours to complete, “some years four or five,” he said.

Much like Santa’s reindeer in legend, Rudolph — or the front boat — guides the rest, according to Jeff Van Dorn, who drove the fourth boat Saturday night.

“The limo’s the brakes in the whole train game,” Van Dorn said. “Everybody else in the middle’s just along for the ride.

” Employees may balk at boat parade duty, which is often  ccompanied by windy, cold weather, but opting out isn’t really an option, Van Dorn said.

“I tried to opt out after last year, but they wouldn’t let me,” he said.

Participating in the float is part of the family atmosphere that permeates the company. Many employees have put in twenty-five years at the business, Whelan said. General manager Gary McDade “started at the bottom” in 1974, he said.

he Campbell Boats family was touched by tragedy Oct. 10 when 28-year employee Todd Chapman was killed in his home on South Palo Verde Boulevard.

Chapman also started at the bottom at the company while still a student at Lake Havasu High School. While Whelan was mayor of Lake Havasu City, from 2003-05, Chapman drove the limo in the boat parade because Whelan had judging duty.

“He was a responsible kid,” Whelan said. “Todd was always the guy I never felt any hesitation to hand him the keys to my cars, my boats — whatever.

” Chapman had a photographic memory, Whelan said. He was Campbell Boats’ parts manager at the time of his death.

We have 20,000 parts in our system, and he knew 10,000 of them,” Whelan said. “We’re getting ready to move to our new building and that gap (in knowledge) is huge.”

You may contact the reporter at dparker@havasunews.com.

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Today's News-Herald, Saturday, December 8, 2007

Boat parade illuminates Bridgewater Channel

By DIANA PARKER

The clouds parted and the star shone through as a small, easy-going crowd gathered along Bridgewater Channel Friday for the first running of the annual London Bridge Yacht Club Boat Parade of Lights.

What chill there was in the air only added to the holiday feel as boats dripping with lights cruised under the London Bridge and were greeted by cries of “Merry Christmas!” from children on shore.

Boat captain Scott Roemisch said he intended to combat the cold by layering, starting with a foundation of thermal underwear. It was his first time in the parade after seeing it three years ago. His month-old pontoon boat was festooned with red and green candy canes, a motif that was easy to throw together on short notice, he said.

“But looking at the competition, there’s a lot of creative people who have done some great things,” Roemisch said.

 Some of those creative people included members of the Bosom Buddies breast cancer survivor support group, who created giant pink ribbons to decorate the 26-foot catamaran belonging to survivor Rosemarie Coletta’s son Steve.

A three-foot tall angel appeared to float over the boat’s cockpit.

“Anyone that’s touched by cancer needs an angel,” survivor Jill Kramer said as group members excitedly waited to launch at the Lake Havasu Marina before the parade. “This has been fun. It keeps our minds off other things,” she said.

 Optical illusions created by lights against dark water and sky helped create some gravity defying effects. A crescent moon appeared to hover high above the Elks Yacht Club’s southwest-inspired entry with its soaring ocotillo, burros and pack of howling coyotes.

The Boat Parade of Lights cruises again tonight, starting at 6 p.m., with the full turnout of all 41 entries. Revised weather forecasts call for a 20 percent chance of showers and temperatures in the 50s.

Results of the official judging, which also takes place tonight, will be announced at a brunch and awards ceremony Sunday at the London Bridge Resort.

You may contact the reporter at

dparker@havasunews.com.

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Today's News-Herald, Friday, December 7, 2007

Decked-out boats on parade

Those planning to attend the Boat Parade of Lights on Friday or Saturday evenings are advised to bundle up and bring an umbrella. The free show will go on in spite of rain or wind, said Tammy Kastelz.

“We’ve got about 70 boats signed up for the event,” she said. “Rain is more of a comfort issue. In the event of rain, the best place for viewers might be inside the hotels and restaurants that line the route. If they choose to watch from outside, umbrellas and chairs are a good idea,” she said.

Kastelz is managing the event for the London Bridge Yacht Club. Now in its 25th year, the fair weather parade route begins in Thompson Bay at 6 p.m. The procession makes its way through Bridgewater Channel, makes a a large circle and reenters the channel.

“We have a very long parade, likely longer than last year,” Kastelz said. “So don’t go home until you see the sailboats. The parade is not over until the sailboat float passes.”

An abbreviated route will come into play in the event of brisk winds.

“If we have very high winds, we will change the route and we will not enter Windsor Bay. For the viewers it usually means they cannot view the parade from Windsor Bay and perhaps the north end of the channel, which includes Crazy Horse Campground. It could also mean the floats come in groups,” Kastelz explained.

The Parade of Lights route map can be seen at www.lhcboatparadeoflights.com.

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Today's News-Herald, Thursday, November 29, 2007

PARADE OF LIGHTS NAMES FINAL JUDGES

The final two judges for the 25th anniversary Parade of Lights will be Terrina Cheuveront and Sunshine Koerber.

Cheuveront and Koerber join Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson, Lake Havasu City Vice-Mayor Margaret Nyberg, and Gary Kellogg, president and CEO of the Lake Havasu Partnership for Economic Development as judges for the event Dec. 7-8.

The London Bridge Yacht Club, who is staging the event, held a public drawing for the two at-large judge positions. A third person, Rose Rodriguez, was selected to serve as an alternate in the event Cheuveront or Koerber are unable to participate.

The Parade of Lights features boats festooned in lights and decorated in a holiday theme traveling through Thompson Bay and the Bridgewater Channel. About 75 boats are expected to participate.

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Today's News-Herald, Friday, November 23, 2007

Festival of Lights tonight

By DAVID BELL

TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD

The London Bridge Resort will be leaving the lights on for the next few weeks.

Starting Friday evening, millions of lights will illuminate the English Village under the London Bridge. But not before a chilly swim through the Bridgewater Channel. The winner of the swim race gets the opportunity to throw the “switch,” lighting the Village.

“It is London Bridge Resort’s pleasure to continue hosting the swim race to open the holiday festivities in Lake Havasu City,” said Cal Sheehy, the resort’s general manager. “It has grown to be a spectacular opening to our already festive holiday lights.”

Swimmers will gather at 5:45 p.m. on the channel’s Island side, at the Casino Dock where the Dreamcatcher boat departs. The swim to the channel’s mainland side will begin at dusk.

Anyone interested can swim.

Jarrod Lyman, vice president of the Lake Havasu Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Festival of Lights is one of the city’s signature events “attracting visitors from around the world to view the decorations.”

Lyman suggested the illuminated English Village makes a perfect backdrop for another favorite event, the Boat Parade of Lights which takes place the following weekend, Dec. 7-8, in Thompson Bay and the Bridgewater Channel.

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Today's News-Herald, Thursday, November 22, 2007

Holiday glow transforms

Lake Havasu

Festival of Lights kicks off the season Friday

By DAVID BELL

Forget Paris. Call Lake Havasu City the new city of lights.

Over the next few weeks residents and visitors will have several opportunities to enjoy holiday lights, starting with the Festival of Lights.

Starting Friday evening, millions of lights will illuminate the English Village under the London Bridge. But not before a chilly swim through the Bridgewater Channel. The winner of the swim race gets the opportunity to throw the “switch,” lighting the Village.

“It is London Bridge Resort's pleasure to continue hosting the swim race to open the holiday festivities in Lake Havasu City,” said Cal Sheehy, the Resort’s general manager. “It has grown to be a spectacular opening to our already festive holiday lights.”

Swimmers will gather at 5:45 p.m. on the channel’s Island side, at the Casino Dock where the Dreamcatcher boat departs. The swim to the channel’s mainland side will begin at dusk. Anyone interested can swim.

The annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, dedicated to the memory of Sally Hileman, will be Dec. 2 in Wheeler Park. City Councilman Dave McAtlin will throw the switch lighting the tree, followed by the Colomonde Chorus singing Christmas carols and conducting a community singalong. Hot cocoa with marshmallows will be provided courtesy of the participants in Tri-State Pageants.

Santa Claus’ first official appearance in Lake Havasu City also will take place that evening in Wheeler Park, to hear the requests of boys and girls. The following weekend,  Dec. 7-8, is one of the season’s most popular events, which has earned Lake Havasu City national attention as a major holiday attraction, the Boat Parade of Lights.

Tammy Kastelz, past commodore and Parade of Lights chair for the London Bridge Yacht Club, said everyone with a boat is invited to join the parade.

“Don’t worry about having enough lights or what the theme is. Just put some lights on your boat, come out, and have some fun,” she said.

This year’s theme is a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Parade of Lights and the grand marshal is Mayor Mark Nexsen. Judges are Vice Mayor Margaret Nyberg, Mohave County Supervisor Buster Johnson, Partnership for Economic Development President and CEO Gary Kellogg and two members of the general public.

Residents wanting to judge may enter their names at four locations: Mohave Wireless, the Naked Turtle, West Marine and the Welcome Center under the London Bridge. The judges will be drawn live on TV45 early next week.

Kastelz said she expects about 75 boats, adorned with lights and decorations, to make their way from Thompson Bay into the Bridgewater Channel.

“Last year we had a number of first-time individuals enter. This year we have a number of new organizations and businesses participating,” Kastelz said.

All participants will receive a 25th anniversary plaque and brunch at London Bridge Resort Sunday morning.

The Boat Parade of Lights has once again been named one of the nation’s top 100 holiday attractions by the Bus Tour Operators Association.

“This event always gets a lot of press,” said Convention and Visitors Bureau Vice President Jarrod Lyman. “It’s a popular event that the regional press likes to cover.

” Lake Havasu City will see even more lighted vehicles on Dec. 15, as two parades will wind their way up and down McCulloch  Boulevard.

“It’s our Christmas Jubilee,” said Main Street Executive Director Jim Salscheider.

The Christmas Jubilee starts at 3 p.m.; one hour later the Western Arizona Humane Society Strut Your Mutt parade will start down the street. The dogs, adorned in holiday costumes, will be walked from Mulberry Avenue to Smoketree Avenue then back up the street again to Pima Wash, where winners will be announced at the Dub Campbell stage.

At 6 p.m. the newest light parade, Christmas on Wheels, will get under way. Rhinos, Rangers, Arctic Cats, golf carts and similar vehicles, festooned with lights and decorations, will travel down McCulloch Boulevard from Acoma Boulevard to Smoketree Avenue, then back up to Scott Drive for awards announced at the Pearl Bailey Showmobile.

“We’re also staging a toy drive for Interagency Council’s Adopt-a-Family program. We’re asking everyone that enters a parade to bring a toy. Then an outrigger canoe towed by a Rhino will be filled with the toys and taken to Schlotzsky’s Deli for unloading for Interagency to pick up,” Salscheider said.

The community’s churches and local choral groups have been invited to sing at the two stages, and carolers will roam the street singing holiday songs. Title sponsor is Yellow Book and co-sponsor is Horizon Community Bank.

On the Web: http://www.golakehavasu.com/events.html,

for the Boat Parade of Lights go to http://www.lhcboatparadeoflights.com/,

for Main Street’s Christmas Jubilee go to http://www.lhcmainstreet.com/index.php?page=events.

You may contact the reporter at dbell@havasunews.com.

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Today's News-Herald, Friday, October 19, 2007

Ahoy! New rules for boat parade

 By PAM ASHLEY

TODAY’S NEWS-HERALD