Water Wonderland: Lake Las Vegas home to dazzling boat parade

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2003 | 8:29 a.m.

Ablaze in holiday lights, La Contessa made her way through the dark on Lake Las Vegas.

Christmas trees twinkled from atop the 140-passenger yacht. Glowing snowflakes decked its sides.

From the speakers Jimmy Buffett's familiar voice sang, "How'd you like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?"

There was a chill in the air, two gondolas trailing behind and the light from Luxor shooting up past silhouettes of mountains and palm trees.

La Contessa moved beyond the dim lights of the million-dollar homes toward the merger about to begin as 11 boats, decked for the holidays, came out of the dark.

"I'd rather spend $20 on this than throw it in a slot machine," passenger Dave Olin says, leaning over the back of the yacht, his head cocked upward to absorb the nip in the air, the hum of the motor and the moonlit sky.

His wife, Dale, dressed in a flannel shirt, sipped hot chocolate.

Happy holidays from Lake Las Vegas, where the private lake's Boat Parade of Lights began its maiden voyage last month.

"We thought, 'You know, with the setting out here, how beautiful it is, it makes a lot of sense to do this,'" said Tracy Jordan, gondolier and co-owner of Gondola Adventures, Inc., who was inspired by the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, Calif.

"They've been doing it down there for decades. There's hundreds of boats. It's the largest recreational harbor in the country."

Lake Las Vegas might not have hundreds of boats - or passengers. But Jordan, who stocks his gondolas with cocoa and cookies, Christmas lights and an 8-foot Santa and snowman, is betting the Lake Las Vegas parade will become a holiday tradition.

"We're looking forward to building it in years to come," Jordan said. "You can watch it for free on the hillside or go on the parade cruise."

Last Friday the Olins had the run of the boat. The week prior 80 passengers turned out for the parade. But the event has since been moved up an hour to accommodate parents and those who said they were too cold. Somehow the message didn't get through in time.

"We're lucky," Raymond Olin, father of Dave Olin, said, referring to the private cruise.

Looking out toward the Hyatt, he added, "They used to do this on a lake where I come from. They hadrides, but nohing like this."

The boats lined up and proceeded toward MonteLago Village, where small crowds had formed on the shoreline.

And 45 minutes after its departure, La Contessa returned. The smaller boats, which disappeared under the Pontevecchio-inspired bridge, then circled around to parade before the spectators huddled on shore.

Some who missed the ride were asking about next week's cruise. Others were frustrated for having to wait so long and strolled back through the village, where a once-lonely Santa began to welcome visitors, Las Vegas Opera set a small stage to perform and Starbucks was still open.

But Dick and Renee Dyer, Las Vegas residents, had been patient. They made the trip to Lake Las Vegas specifically to have dinner, then watch the parade.

"We love it," Renee said, barely distracted by the glittering spectacle reflecting on the water.

From a boat, a group of children yelled, "Merry Christmas."

Renee took a break from whistling and waving to holler back.

"Thank you. Merry Christmas."