Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Wherever you may have been in the Western outdoors, there probably has been a holiday lighted-boat parade on a waterway near you.

Although the Arizona Christmas parades are over for 2012, there are still a few in store for the season’s spirit, reflected on the waters of the West. If there are other similar events in the western states that you would like included in Western Outdoor Times next year, please e-mail editor@azbw.com.

CALIFORNIA

Wednesday, Dec. 19 through Sunday, Dec. 23 in Newport Beach —The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce proudly hosts the 104th Year of this spectacular holiday tradition. Join over a million viewers as you watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 104th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, we invite you to celebrate this year as we feature the theme "Surf, Sand and Santa!" As Newport Beach's Christmas card to the world, the boat parade will set the harbor ablaze for five consecutive nights from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., starting and finishing off Bay Island.

Beautiful multi-million dollar yachts, kayaks, canoes and other small boats will light up the harbor as a dazzling array of holiday lights and music fill the air at the Christmas Boat Parade. Many of the boats will be richly decorated with animated Christmas scenes accompanied by music and costumed carolers. Some boat owners in the past have spent over $50,000 to decorate their vessels for the event.

The Christmas floats will wind their way some 14 miles around the harbor to give viewers in restaurants, yacht clubs, on public beaches, and in private homes an incredible sight that has delighted millions of people for a century. The Christmas Boat Parade, which has been hailed as "one of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation" by the New York Times, is truly a magical holiday tradition for all ages.

The parade continues to be a premier event during the holiday season in Southern California that brings joy and happiness to all that view it. On the final night, a special fireworks display will close out the parade. For more information about these events, or to request information about viewing areas, restaurants and boat charter companies, please call the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce at (949) 729-4400.

IDAHO

Through Tuesday, Jan. 1 on Coeur d’ Alene lake — A million lights. A priceless memory. A family tradition. More than 1.5 million lights sparkle across lake Coeur d'Alene as the Holiday Light Show, the largest on-the-water resort holiday light show in America, comes to life each evening during the holiday season.

Plan now to experience The Resort's "Journey to the North Pole". Ride aboard one of the lake Coeur d'Alene Cruise Boats and get ready for a magical trip across the water to visit Santa Claus at the North Pole workshop, where every child is guaranteed to make Santa's "nice list"!

Highlighting the 2012 Holiday Light Show is The World's Tallest Living Animated Christmas Tree on display at the North Pole! Laden with over 30,000 sparkling LED lights and rising to nearly twice the height of New York City's famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

The Coeur d'Alene's giant Christmas Tree towers over the North Pole display at Santa's Workshop. Bring the family. Bring the camera. Bring the smiles. We'll have brilliant lights and a festive holiday atmosphere awaiting you as we all share in the Christmas spirit where priceless memories are made. It's a family tradition.

"Journey to the North Pole" Holiday Light Show Cruises departures are scheduled several times each evening. This 40-minute cruise offers spectacular views of the holiday light displays. The most memorable point in the journey lies across the lake, as Santa awaits your arrival at the North Pole Toy Workshop! Nightly cruise departure times: 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. with additional departure times on select dates based on demand.

Or, through Dec. 26, enjoy the "Journey to the North Pole" Dinner Cruise: a delicious holiday dinner on the lake while taking in over 250 dazzling light displays in this delightful 90-minute lake cruise every Wednesday evening at 6:30 pm from Boarding begins at 6:00 pm. Space is limited.

More information: The Holiday Light Show Center, (208) 664-7268 or (800) 688-5253.

WASHINGTON STATE

Through Sunday, Dec. 23 in Seattle — The Argosy Christmas Ship™ festival is a holiday celebration that has been a Northwest tradition since 1949. Its main purpose is to bring communities together to celebrate the holiday season.

From our flotilla of ships to the crowds of people who gather onshore, this celebration is one of the gems of the holiday season. The Argosy Christmas Ship™ sails to different Puget Sound waterfront communities, over 45 in total. Choirs onboard sing 20-minute performances to these communities, all broadcast via state-of-the-art speaker system.

On shore, thousands of people gather around roaring bonfires anticipating the arrival of the Christmas Ship™. You can either join us on board the Christmas Ship™ or one of the Parade ships that follow, or join with friends and neighbors to gather together for your own caroling tradition.

If you own your own boat, feel welcome to add lights to you vessel and join in the festival and help form the largest holiday floating parade in the world! (We also have option on our dinner boat Royal Argosy, for those looking for a full meal and a private dining table.)

In addition to good cheer, family, and friends, a portion of all ticket sales benefits The Seattle Times Fund For The Needy, an annual program that raises money for several charitable organizations in the Puget Sound area.