QUITE A SEA-LECTION : SeaFest Offers Everything From Haute Cuisine to Sandcastles

Newport SeaFest begins a two-weekend run Friday in its annual quest to keep those summer crowds coming well into September.

The slate is identical to last year’s, with Taste of Newport as a centerpiece surrounded by by everything from boat races and athletic contests to a chowder cook-off and kite festival.

SeaFest is, in its grab-bag way, a celebration of all things Newport.

Just check out this weekend’s lineup. Starting Friday at the Marian Bergeson Aquatic Center at Corona del Mar High School is the UC Irvine Water Polo Tournament, a three-day contest featuring 15 of the nation’s top collegiate teams.

Contests of different kinds are planned for Sunday: On Corona del Mar State Beach, more than 50 professionals and amateurs will be sculpting sand during one of Southern California’s biggest sandcastle contests, and meanwhile, in Via Lido Plaza, cooks will be vying for the “Best Chowder in Newport” appellation.

SeaFest gets into full swing next Friday, Sept. 18, when Taste of Newport gets under way at Fashion Island. Returning restaurants include Gandhi Indian Cuisine, Kachina, Bistro 201, Ristorante Cantori, the Lido Shipyard Sausage Co., Villa Nova and Bob Burns; newcomers will include Caffe Looma, the Five Crowns, Antonello Ristorante, Emporio Armani Express, Spiga and L’Opera.

In all, 40 restaurants will participate. Entertainment will be offered, including music on Saturday night by onetime pop kingpin Christopher Cross.

Last year’s Taste drew about 37,000 people, and organizers expect about 45,000 this time around, according to Richard Luehrs, president of the Newport Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

Attendance at other events probably will remain about steady, Leuhrs said. “I think we’re all feeling a little pinch here with the recession. . . . But they’re still very popular events.”

Other events planned for the second weekend include:

* A volunteer cleanup of Upper Newport Bay.

* A two-day kite festival at Balboa Park, which Leuhrs said has grown in popularity each year. This year’s will feature demonstrations by professional kite-flying teams and a contest open to the public.

* The annual Pier Swim, an open-ocean race expected to draw about 100 competitors.

* The SeaFest Huff & Puff, to include bike rides of 12, 35 and 60 miles, runs of 5 and 10 kilometers, and a 5-kilometer walk, along with a health and fitness exposition.

* Boat races, including one for electric boats and one for sailboats, and a boat show at Fashion Island.

* Children’s events at the Newport Beach Library’s Balboa Branch.

Newport SeaFest

All events take place in Newport Beach:

* UC Irvine water polo tournament Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 13 till 5 p.m. Corona del Mar High School, 2101 E. Bluff Drive. Three-day pass, $6-$15; single day, $4-$7. (714) 856-5814.

* Sandcastle contest Sunday, Sept. 13, noon to 3 p.m. Corona del Mar State Beach. Free.

* Chowder cook-off Sunday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Via Lido Plaza, Via Lido. Free.

* A Taste of Newport Friday, Sept. 18, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 19, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 20, noon to 7 p.m. Fashion Island, Newport Center. Admission: $6 (free for children under 12); most taster plates: $1-$4.

* Estuary Day, a volunteer cleanup of Upper Newport Bay Saturday, Sept. 19, 8 a.m. to noon. Meet at Newport Dunes Aquatic Park, 1131 Back Bay Drive.

* Kite festival Saturday, Sept. 19 and Sunday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Balboa Park, Main Street and Balboa Boulevard. Most contests free.

* Electric boat rally Saturday, Sept. 19, 1 to 4 p.m. Starts at Balboa Bay Club, 1221 W. Coast Highway. Spectators free. Call (714) 673-7200 for entry information.

* Voyagers Yacht Club/SeaFest Challenge Cup sailing regatta Saturday, Sept. 19, 11:30 a.m. Starts next to Newport Pier, Newport and Balboa boulevards. Spectators free; $10 per entry. (714) 544-8851.

* Pier swim Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to noon. 28th Street jetty. $12 entry fee, includes T-shirt ($15 after Sept. 16).

* SeaFest Huff & Puff cycling and running events Sunday, Sept. 20, 7:30 to 11 a.m. Meet at Newport Dunes Aquatic Park, 1131 Back Bay Drive. $17-$20, includes T-shirt and breakfast.

* Health and sports exposition Sunday, Sept. 20, 7 a.m. to noon. Meet at Newport Dunes Aquatic Park, 1131 Back Bay Drive. Free.

* Newport Beach Library open house: nautical-themed activities and displays for children Sundays, Sept. 13 and 20, noon to 5 p.m. Balboa branch library, 100 E. Balboa Blvd. Free.

* Boat display Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 20, noon to 5 p.m. Fashion Island, Newport Center. Free.

* SeaFest theater performance: “Picnic” by William Inge, Friday, Sept. 11, 8 p.m. Newport Theater Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive. $17 includes champagne party. (714) 631-0288.

For more information: Newport Area Chamber of Commerce: (714) 729-4400.