Harboring holiday spirit

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- Grab a pullover and join the one million others coming

to the harbor to watch the 91st annual Christmas Boat Parade tonight.

More than 150 yachts, kayaks, canoes and other small boats will

participate each evening until Thursday. Many will be decorated with

Christmas scenes, carry carolers or play music as they wind their way

around the harbor.

The event began in 1908 as a small, lighted boat parade orchestrated by

John Scarpa and Joseph Beek. Scarpa, an Italian gondolier, led eight

other boats decorated by Japanese paper lanterns through the harbor.

Five years later, the parade had grown considerably and prizes were being

awarded for the best boats. Since then, the parade has become one of

Newport Beach’s biggest events of the year. The New York Times even

listed it as one of the top 10 holiday happenings in the nation.

The following is a list from the Chamber of Commerce on some of the best

spots to watch the parade:

* Any restaurant along Coast Highway -- warmth, food and wine.

* Balboa Island/Balboa Island Bridge -- if you can get there early enough

to park.

* Boy Scout Sea Base -- a great place with lawn seating

* American Legion Hall -- dinner will be served to the public, but be

sure to book before going.

* Lido Isle Bridge/Lido Marine Village -- you can see all the boats turn

right in front of you.

* Lido Parks.

* 15th Street Beach -- good place, but limited parking.

* 9th Street Beach -- good place, but limited parking.

* Balboa Pavilion/Fun Zone -- probably the best place for parking.

* Pirate’s Cove -- for the Corona del Mar crowd, this offers a good view

of all the boats as they return to the harbor, but it can get chilly.

* Join a yacht club or buy a boat and sign up for next year.