Newport’s light brigade shines in holiday home-decorating contest
With some 30,000 red, green and white twinkling lights illuminating their waterfront home on Harbor Island, Phil and Mary Lyons are serious competitors in the Newport Beach Ring of Lights contest.
Though the couple have snagged several awards since they started participating in the holiday home-decorating event in the early 1990s, they don’t take the competition too seriously.
“It’s always fun,” Mary Lyons said. “We practically have the house inundated with lights. I know it gives people a lot of pleasure to see the lights as they’re sailing by, and that’s why we do it.”
The Lyons’ display of multicolored lights, red spotlights and towering Christmas tree aglow in white lights earned them the Best Overall award this year.
“It’s been experimental each year,” Mary said.
Last year’s trophy for best overall went to Viviana and Bruce Fabrizio, who live on Bayside Drive in Corona del Mar. This year, the Fabrizios won the Founder’s Award.
The Lyons’ home is one of 24 entered in the 2015 Ring of Lights. The annual competition is held in conjunction with the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Both are put on by the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.
“The Ring of Lights combines all the best of Newport Beach — the harbor and the waterfront, the things that make Newport Beach unique,” said Chamber of Commerce President Steve Rosansky. “There’s also a spirit of volunteerism, with everyone in the community working together to make this a great event for not only other residents but for everyone that visits.”
Homes compete in 16 categories. Award winners from the Ring of Lights and the five-night boat parade that concluded Sunday will be honored during a ceremony at the Island Hotel on Jan. 22.
In addition to the awards celebration, there’s another aspect of January that the Lyonses are looking forward to — a near-normal electric bill in the wake of their holiday display.
After years of shockingly expensive bills, the introduction of LED lights in the past few years has the couple breathing a sigh of relief.
“I would look at my January electric bill and think, ‘Oh, that’s not good,’” Mary said with a laugh. “With LED lights, [the bill] only goes up by a few dollars.”
Visitors can get a look at Ring of Lights homes by taking Newport Landing’s Holiday Lights Cruises.
Boats depart at 5:30, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 3. Tickets are $32 to $36.
For tickets or more information, visit christmasparadeboats.com/reservetickets.html.
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Ring of Lights award winners
Best Overall: Phil and Mary Lyons, 36 Harbor Island
Lights and Animation:
• First place: Shirley Pepys, 526 S. Bay Front, Balboa Island
• Second place: Bill Uncapher, 335 E. Bay Front, Balboa Island
Best Theme: Donna DiBari, 710 S. Bay Front, Balboa Island
Chairman’s Choice: Robert and Christyne Olson, 351 E. Bay Front, Balboa Island
Best Traditional Lights: Jim and Kathy Busby,111 E. Bay Front, Balboa Island
“Green” Entry Award: Chuck and Mary Brennan, 800 Via Lido Nord, Lido Isle
Photographer’s Choice: Dennis and Patty Vitarelli, 140 S. Bay Front, Balboa Island
Humor and Originality: Marcy Cook, 538 S. Bay Front, Balboa Island
Rookie Award: Donna Kostland, 321 E. Bay Front, Balboa Island
Best on Lido: John and Essie Bootsma,128 Via Lido Nord, Lido Isle
Founder’s Award: Viviana and Bruce Fabrizio,1407 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar
Daily Pilot Award: Kevin and Jeanne Lewand, 343 E. Bay Front, Balboa Island
Best Yacht Club: Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar
Hi Tech Christmas Charm: Jim and Peggy Rich, 802 S. Bay Front, Balboa Island
Best on Peninsula: Bill and Gay Wassall-Kelly, 409 E. Edgewater, Balboa Peninsula
Judge’s Award:
• First place: Barry and Karen Meguiar, 201 N. Bay Front, Balboa Island
• Second place: Geoffrey Wickett, 309 E. Bay Front, Balboa Island
