24 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Fall 2018 TheCoastalBend.com Corpus Christi’s Famous Candy Cane Lane A story that sounds right out of National Lampoon’s Christ- mas Vacation, a friendly annual decorating contest among neighbors in the Club Estates subdivision, on Corpus Chris- ti’s near-south side, has evolved into a holiday destination unto itself. The Candy Cane Lane kick-off celebration takes place the evening of Sat. Dec. 8 in the McAlpen/Donegal Dr. area off S. Shea Pkwy. | The North Padre Island home of builder James Mazoch has twice been named America’s (second) best decorated private home for Christmas, by USA Today, and on ABC’s Great Christmas Light Fight. Located on Isabella Court off Whitecap (with apologies to their neighbors). Clark Griswold would be proud. North Padre Island Canndy Cane Lane Candy Cane Lane Kick-Off Celebration Since 1981, the nighttime lighting of the Christmas tree on N. Shoreline Blvd. along the Corpus Christi Bayfront, followed by the Lighted Boat Parade, marked the start of the Christmas season. Today, the day- long Harbor Lights Festival is enjoyed by thousands of South Texans, and this year takes place on Sat. Dec. 1, starting with the Children’s Parade at 1 p.m. At 3 p.m. the children’s activity area, Elves Gift Shop, and Fun Zone open, and entertainment begins on the main stage. The lighting of the bayfront holiday tree will take place at 6 p.m. upon the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus (first name unknown), and the much-loved Harbor Lights Illuminated Boat Parade starts inside the Corpus Christi Marina along the seawall at 7 p.m. Corpus Christi Bayfront Harbor Lights Festival La Posada on North Padre North Padre Island’s La Posada Founda- tion raises thousands of dollars each year for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys-for- Tots and other programs benefiting kids in need. This year’s La Posada Festival starts with its Kick-Off Fundraiser at Schlitterbahn’s Veranda restaurant Tues. Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. The fantastic lighted boat parade will tour the island’s north canals on the evening of Fri. Dec. 7, and south canals on Sat. Dec. 8. The public can view the boat parade from various boat launch locations, public parks and unoccupied lots along the water route. The parade awards dinner will take place the evening of Mon. Dec. 10. Port Aransas Xmas Parades Sat. Dec. 1 is the big day for ringing in the Christmas season in Port A, and in true island style! The Christmas Golf Cart Parade will take place in the after- noon, and the Carolers Afloat Lighted Boat Contest and Parade happens after sunset in the Port Aransas Marina. The man himself, the one and only Santa Claus, will arrive on a Coast Guard vessel.