Editorial

When organizers first broached making changes to the Christmas Boat

Parade back in April, an outcry ensued from many of those along the

route.

Don’t change a thing, some pleaded. If you do have to change a thing,

shorten the nights, others requested. Those living at specific points

along the route argued that their portions of the route should remain.

After all, the annual holiday parties must continue.

At the end of August, after much debate, the Newport Harbor Chamber of

Commerce announced that changes will be made. Just not this year.

Starting in 2002, the parade will be shortened from seven to five

days, with Monday and Tuesday cut because they are the least-attended

nights.

To speed the parade up, the route will be shortened. Portions through

the western edge of the channel between Lido Island and Lido Peninsula

and to the entrance of the harbor will be eliminated to cut about 30

minutes.

While we were surprised that the Newport Harbor Area Chamber of

Commerce was even considering making changes to the long-standing

tradition, we support those that were made in the parade’s best interest.

Though the changes won’t please everyone, they are probably the best

compromise that the chamber could have reached. To its credit, the

chamber first surveyed residents and businesses around the harbor before

making the changes.

The changes will help make sure that all the boaters who start the

parade end it. That way, it will maintain its charm throughout the five

evenings at every point along the route.

At the same time, all the visitors who stop into town to check out the

event the New York Times has hailed as one of the nation’s top 10

yuletide affairs will be able to enjoy it in all its glory, without

disappointment. And it’s these tourists who help fuel the area’s winter

economy.

So while the changes will leave some a bit disappointed, just know

that they weren’t made without thought, but were made with everyone’s

best interests considered.

And if some still think the changes aren’t all that necessary, prove

it. Make this year’s parade the best ever, each and every one of the

seven nights throughout the entire route. Who knows? The changes may not

be set in stone, after all.