From the Boathouse: Plenty going on for the Fourth
Ahoy!
July 4 is approaching fast and it’son a Monday this year, which will create a three-day weekend.
Waterways will be very congested with thousands of boaters from across the nation, with many boaters hitting the water on Friday.
The Fourth of July is traditionally known as the busiest boating day of the year. Boating organizations, harbor patrols, United States Power Squadrons, Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Coast Guard are hoping that boaters will keep safety first and foremost, and be courteous to everyone on the water including your spouse (inside boater’s joke).
Newport Harbor has two Fourth of July traditions that attract boaters and landlubbers alike.
There are many activities during the day, but the first boating event is the American Legion’s Old Glory Boat Parade that cruises through most of the harbor in the early afternoon. After the sun sets, Newport Dunes’ fireworks display lights up the sky to conclude the celebrations.
Many locals will remember when the Old Glory Boat Parade was called the Character Boat Parade, which included participants who were much wilder and the boats were decorated without today’s political correctness in mind.
These days, the Old Glory Boat Parade is hosted by Newport’s American Legion Post 291 located on the Balboa Peninsula at 15th Street.
The lead boat is the Newport Harbor Patrol’s fireboat from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Following the fireboat will be the brightly decked-out participant’s boats which are adorned with decorations from the standard red, white and blue to let your imagination run wild with decorations to match this year’s parade theme of “Celebrating Our Heroes.”
Also, the American Legion Post is hosting a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. for $10 per person and lunch buffet from noon to 5 p.m. for $25 per person. Both are open to the public.
Boat owners who are interested in participating in the parade can call the American Legion at (949) 673-5070 or email Vice Commodore Dan O’Sulllivan at vicecommodore@alyc.com.
You can also cruise to the Back Bay where the Newport Dunes Resort will be hosting its annual Fourth of July events, including live bands and food trucks serving tasty fares. The gates open at 8 a.m. with a full day of activities and the bands on the main stage starting at 3 in the afternoon until sun has set over the Pacific Ocean. Then the main event is the grand finale with the fireworks extravaganza beginning at 9 p.m..
This show is known as one the premier fireworks display in our area and boaters can watch from their vessels, especially in lower Newport Bay from the main anchorage to the PCH Bridge. The Dunes is located at 1131 Back Bay Drive. For more information, call (949) 729-3863.
Tip of the week
As my reminder to any boater who is planning to cruise under the Coast Highway Bridge into the Back Bay to watch the fireworks show, you need to check your tide book to be sure that you have clearance under the bridge and if there will be any strong tidal currents.
I will miss both events in the harbor this year because I will be auto-racing a few hundred miles to our north, and I wish my sailing partners good luck who will be racing at the Lake Arrowhead Yacht Club without me.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth.
The original boating program, “Boathouse TV & Radio Shows,” has stretched from coast to coast for more than two decades. See the details at boathousetv.com, facebook.com/boathouseradio and twitter.com/boathouseradio.
Safe Voyages!
MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to boathousetv.com.