Spotlight

BALBOA ISLAND PARADE

Ready for a little wackiness in your life? Want to go to an event

where the people are friendly and community-oriented? Then get going! The

ninth annual Balboa Island Parade begins at 11 a.m. today on Marine

Avenue at the bridge.

The theme of this year’s event is “All Fired Up on Balboa Island,” a

tribute to the city’s firefighters. Newport Beach Fire Chief Tim Riley

and Police Chief Bob McDonell will share the duties of grand marshal.

Last year, about 4,000 people attended. Show up early to get a good

vantage point. The crowd is standing room only.

If red, white and blue are your favorite colors, then Balboa is the

place to be. The prominence of those hues last year will pale compared to

today. Plus, where else can you see a squad of people carrying lawn

chairs in formation?

FYI

Where: Marine Avenue, beginning at the bridge on Balboa Island

When: Parade starts at 11 a.m. today

Cost: Free

Contact: (949) 675-1773

Discover the wilds of the ocean

OCEAN DISCOVERY DAY

The Newport Bay Naturalists and Friends, city of Newport Beach, Orange

Coast College and the Orange County Sea Base will host an ocean discovery

day on Saturday at Shellmaker Island. The all-day event will include

touch tanks, water tours, a shark and ray exhibit, an ocean tide pool

exploration and an estuary mud discovery.

FYI

Where: Shellmaker Island, 600 Shellmaker Road, Newport Beach

When: All day on Saturday

Cost: Free

Contact: (714) 973-6826 or (949) 640-6746

PLANNING AHEAD

FOOD AND WINE FEST

The 10th annual South Coast Plaza Summer Food and Wine Festival will

take over the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home wing of South Coast Plaza, with

live music and delicacies sold for charity.

Thursday, June 27

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR

Want to ride a Ferris wheel, pet a pig and eat a funnel cake? Your

chance is coming up in a month or so, when the Orange County Fair

returns.

Begins Friday, July 12

NUMERICALLY SPEAKING

20: The number of days until summer officially begins.