Mardi Gras on the water

The lights are strung across the bow of the Endeavor, a 120-foot party boat docked in Newport Harbor in preparation for what promoter Alan Freeman hopes will be the largest party on the water for the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.

“It’s the 100th anniversary of the parade this year, and what better way to celebrate it,” Freeman said.

As many as 150 boats will set sail at 6:30 tonight on Newport Harbor for the 100th anniversary of the parade. Many charter cruise companies and promoters are offering special Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade events on Newport Harbor this week in celebration of the centennial.

Seeing the illuminated boats and houses from the water with a glass of bubbly is a great way to experience the parade, said Andrea Waite, co-owner of American Yacht Charters, which owns the Endeavor.

“You get a great view from 40 feet up — it’s like being on a skyscraper,” Waite said.

The Endeavor will dart in and out of the parade, getting closer to the boats than spectators on land, she said.

“You get to interact with the people on the boats — it makes it more of a Mardi Gras-type experience.”

The Endeavor will set sail at 7 p.m. Thursday during the second night of the boat parade. Tickets for the party, which will include food, a holiday fashion show, music and dancing, cost $49.

One of the best features of the Endeavor is its soundproof walls for raucous partygoers, and three fully stocked bars, Waite said.

Hornblower Cruises and Events also will host a few rare public cruises on the Wild Goose during the boat parade. The 136-foot yacht was once owned by screen legend and former Newport Beach resident John Wayne.

“It’s kind of a special treat,” said Sara Cropping, director of marketing for Hornblower. The company has owned the Wild Goose for about 10 years. “The boat is usually rented out for private events. We get people from all over the world who come here and ask about it, but we rarely do public events with it.”

The Wild Goose was once a minesweeper — part of the Canadian naval fleet during World War II. Wayne purchased the boat in 1965 and converted it into a luxury yacht.

For $115, guests on the Wild Goose get a four-course seated dinner, a glass of champagne and live entertainment during the boat parade. The Wild Goose cruises are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

IF YOU GO

The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade will being its centennial run with fireworks at 6:25 tonight in Newport Harbor.

ENDEAVOR

For more information on the Endeavor party cruise, call (949) 222-2232 or visit www.bestocevents.com/ boatparade.

WILD GOOSE

For more information on dinner cruises aboard the Wild Goose, call (888) 467-6256 or visit www.hornblower.com.

BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].