Suddenly, it’s summer

Jennifer Kho and Mathis Winkler

Sure, summer doesn’t officially start until June 21. But here in

Newport-Mesa, the hottest season of the year gets its unofficial kick-off

this weekend. The barbecues get wheeled out. The pools get a good

cleaning. Sandals end up in the front of the closet.

Whether the beach calls out to you when the sun starts getting hotter

or you’d rather stretch out in the backyard under an umbrella, there’s no

denying that summer’s the best time of year in Newport-Mesa.

And there’s no denying that there’s plenty to do beyond hiking down to

the sand or taking in the latest summer blockbuster film.

So, get your pencils and calendars out for this sneak peak on a host

of reasons to love the season.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

Costa Mesa’s second Concert in the Park series will take place July 10

to Aug. 14.

Each of the six free concerts will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

The schedule includes Alley Cats, a doo-wop band, on July 10 at

Shiffer Park, 3143 Bear St.; Ramon and the LA band, a variety band, on

July 17 at Fairview Park, 2525 Placentia Ave.; Citizen Joe Band, a pop

folk rock group, on July 24 at Wakeham Park, 3400 Smalley St.;

Sharpsounds, a swing group, on July 31 at Balearic Park, 1975 Balearic

Drive; Chico, a variety group, on Aug. 7 at Lions Park, 570 W. 18th St.;

and Cold Duck, an eclectic band, on Aug. 14 at the Farm Sports Complex on

Fairview Road at Monitor Way.

Information: (714) 754-5654.

JAZZ FESTIVALS

Costa Mesa’s Hilton Hotel and Holiday Inn will co-host the Costa

Mesa/Orange County Classic Jazz Festival, starting with a kickoff party

from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Aug. 3.

The festival will be from 10:30 a.m. to midnight Aug. 4 and 5 and

10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 6.

The Hilton Hotel is at 3050 Bristol St., and the Holiday Inn is at

3131 Bristol St.

Information: (888) 215-6222.

Although promoters of the Newport Beach Jazz festival had a falling

out with the Hyatt Newporter and moved the event to Irvine this year, the

hotel will still put on its own summer jazz series.

Nineteen concerts will be held June 15 to Oct. 12, including a July 4

concert and fireworks show.

Musicians scheduled to appear include Strunz & Farah on June 15,

Pancho Sanchez on July 4, Peter White on July 6 and Keiko Matsui on Sept.

7.

The concerts will start between 7 and 8 p.m. Spectators can reserve

seats in the hotel’s amphitheater, which has been equipped with a new

sound and stage-lighting system.

Information: (949) 729-6400 or o7 https://www.hyattnewporter.comf7 .

CORONA DEL MAR SCENIC 5K

On June 2, running enthusiasts will again be able to enjoy Corona del

Mar’s scenic setting and raise money to make the village more beautiful

at the same time.

The event, now in its 20th year, will include separate races for women

and men, each race being limited to 1,500 runners. Awards will go to the

top three winners in each category.

Children ages 3 to 10 may compete in a 1K “Dolphin Dash” race.

Proceeds will be used by the Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce to

beautify the village, with a portion given to the city’s recreation

programs.

Preregistration will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Oasis

Senior Center, 800 Marguerite Ave., and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday and

7 to 9 a.m. and noon to 7 p.m. Friday at the city’s Community Services

Department, 3300 Newport Blvd.

Information: (949) 644-3151 or (949) 673-4050.

NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

The Costa Mesa Police Department is collaborating with the city to

sponsor National Night Out 2001 from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 7.

The event, which will have as its theme “Give Crime and Drugs a

Going-Away Party,” will include block parties, cookouts, raffles and

youth activities in neighborhoods throughout the city.

The National Night Out is an annual event held across the country to

heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention, generate support and

participation in crime-fighting efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit

and police-community partnerships and make criminals aware that

neighborhoods are organized and fighting crime.

Information: (714) 754-4876.

BALBOA ISLAND PARADE

The Balboa Island Parade, which originally started as a celebration of

the island’s new fire station, is now in its eighth year and will take

place June 3 along Marine Avenue.

About 75 groups and individuals, many with homemade floats, will march

down the island’s main street. A contingent from the USC Marching Band

also is expected to participate.

The parade will begin at 11 a.m. and last about an hour. Last year, an

estimated 4,000 people showed up for the event and organizers hope to

attract at least as many spectators this year.

“It’s just loads of fun and great for the kids,” said Newport Beach

Councilman Steve Bromberg, who represents and lives on the island. He

will serve as the parade’s grand marshal.

Bromberg said street musicians and food stands will turn Marine Avenue

into a big block party once the parade is over.

ELVIS SALUTE

The Orange County Fairgrounds will host the Endless Summer Classic Car

and Motorcycle Show and Elvis Salute from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at

its Market Place, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.

Tying in with the anniversary of the death of “The King,” which is

actually Aug. 16, the event will include an Elvis car award, barbecue,

wienie roast and Elvis karaoke contest officiated by Elvis impersonator

Kirk Wall, who will perform.

Other Elvis impersonators are scheduled to perform and Elvis

memorabilia will be displayed.

Information: (949) 723-6616.

OLD GLORY BOAT PARADE

Think Christmas boat parade in the middle of summer.

Just as they have done for the last nine years, members of the

American Legion Yacht Club will present their Old Glory Boat Parade on

July 4.

The event, open to the public, will feature about 100 boats decked out

in patriotic colors and cruising the harbor for several hours.

Beforehand, spectators and skippers alike can boost their energy

levels at a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m.

While the boats are away -- the parade will start at noon -- American

Legion officials will serve a barbecue lunch until 4 p.m.

And although the American Legion doesn’t have its own fireworks

display, everyone is invited to stay and listen to music and watch the

fireworks display at nearby Newport Dunes.

Boaters can register for the parade until the end of June. Prizes will

be awarded for the best decoration and best animation, among other

categories.

Information: (949) 673-5070.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Organizers of Fashion Island’s summer concert series promise there

will be something for everyone, with music ranging from pop to rock,

jazz, swing and new wave.

The series, now in its 34th year, will begin July 18 with five-time

Grammy Award winner Christopher Cross.

On July 25, the Starship, featuring Mickey Thomas, will play its

string of hits, followed by contemporary jazz artist Scott Wilkie on Aug.

1.

Royal Crown Revue will take the stage with its retro-style swing music

Aug. 8. The Nelsons, twin sons of the late rock icon Ricky Nelson, will

play Aug. 15. A Flock of Seagulls will conclude the series Aug. 22.

The concerts, which have drawn as many as 10,000 people in one night,

are free but preferred seating is available for $15.

Information: (949) 721-2000.