Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade whoops it up on the water
It’s not simply beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Newport Harbor. It’s in full-blown, fully illuminated, twinkling, singing and whooping holiday mode.
More than 100 boats of all sizes and styles are taking to the water this week for nightly cruises during the 109th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, which opened Wednesday and continues through Sunday.
On opening night, each entry brought something to the soundtrack and aesthetic: silver bells, “It’s a Small World,” snowmen, Snoopy and dinosaurs, at least one parasailing chute, white icicle-style lights and even an animated blue marlin climbing and “breaching” a flybridge.
From the starboard side of the 70-foot power yacht First Sight, Wednesday’s grand marshal, Vicki Gunvalson, of the reality TV show “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” encouraged viewers on shore and in spectator boats to “whoop it up” as they shouted “Vickiiii!” and “I love your show!”
Parade co-chairman David Beek of Newport’s Island Marine Fuel joined her, offering color commentary and shout-outs to the various waterfront neighborhoods where many houses were decorated with as much flair as the parade entries.
In one of his first appearances as Newport Beach’s mayor, Marshall “Duffy” Duffield thanked the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and Newport Beach & Co., the city’s marketing organization, for creating a “truly brand-defining event.”
“This is an important event for Newport Beach, filled with holiday cheer and magical artistic innovation — but it also brings more than $4 million of economic impact to our city,” he said at a reception before the parade . “We are so proud to show the world the abundance of holiday spirit and generosity that exists here in Newport Beach.”
The parade begins at 6:30 nightly, starting and ending at the tip of Lido Isle.
Each night features a different grand marshal. On Friday, it’s Montage, the Orange County School of the Arts’ vocal and dance troupe. On Saturday, the Los Angeles Chargers cheerleaders, the Charger Girls, get the spotlight, and on Sunday, it’s the USC marching band.
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