Patriotism spreads to boat parade

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Eight nights before Christmas and all through the

bay, not a boater will be stirring without something to say.

Their vessels adorned with holiday cheer will take on a much deeper

meaning this year. The Santas and reindeer on bows and sterns will sing

the theme of the boat parade: “Let Freedom Ring.”

The Christmas Boat Parade is a 93-year-tradition that will become even

more special this year when the 100 to 150 boats in the parade sail to a

patriotic theme.

Boaters who participate adorn their boats with stunning Christmas

decorations and displays such as huge inflatable Grinches, sculpted

Santas and dazzling light displays. They take off from the tip of Collins

Island off Balboa Island, skippers great and small sail a 14-mile course

through the bay -- a spectacular sight for anyone with a view of the

water.

“Traditionally, the boat owners come out with amazing Christmas scenes

-- carolers, huge mechanical things,” said Doug Stuckey of the Newport

Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce, whose Commodore Club puts on the parade.

“This year will be different because we’re looking to see all the new

scenes with a patriotic spirit.”

Karen Thibodeau is already catching the spirit. A regular in the

parade since 1995, her vessel made memories in 1999 with a Y2K bug in the

form of a huge bumblebee on her 55-foot Symbol yacht, Endless Honeymoon.

Last year, she had a wooden Santa in a hot rod led by reindeer

extending into the air -- all that emphasized with 30,000 lights. Though

she hasn’t decided what scene Endless Honeymoon will display this year,

she’s planning on something patriotic.

“It’s become such a rich tradition in our community,” chamber

President Richard Luehrs said. “This year, with the ‘Let Freedom Ring’

theme, I think we’ll have a terrific crowd.”

This will also be the last year the event will continue for seven

days and cover 14 miles. To accommodate boaters who can’t commit that

much time, parade organizers will hold next year’s parade for only five

days and will cut from its route a channel that runs down the backside of

Lido Island and also an area by the jetties at the entrance to the

harbor.

Though some businesses and residents that like to be on the parade

route have protested, Stuckey said this is the best plan to serve the

boaters and the community.

“We’re hoping everyone will compromise and do what’s best for the city

and best for the parade,” Stuckey said.

* June Casagrande covers Newport Beach. She may be reached at (949)

574-4232 or by e-mail at o7 june.casagrande@latimes.comf7 .

FYI

* WHAT: The 93rd annual Christmas Boat Parade themed “Let Freedom

Ring”

* WHEN: 6:30 to roughly 8:30 p.m. Dec. 17-23* WHERE: Parade begins

each night off Collins Island. It can be viewed from numerous places

along the bay, including the entire perimeter of Balboa Island,

waterfront spots in Lido Village, the Balboa Village and Balboa Pavilion

areas, and public seating at the Boy Scout Sea Base on Coast Highway.

* INFORMATION: (949) 729-4400