A continuing tradition

The 10th annual Balboa Island Parade comes to town at 11 a.m. Sunday.

The two-block parade, arguably among the shortest in the world, runs

down Marine Avenue.

The parade celebrates the island, but was held originally to

coincide with the dedication of the island’s new fire station in June

1994.

There are about 100 entries in the parade’s 10th year.

Among the long-standing features are the Keystone Kops. On Friday,

City Editor James Meier caught up with Ken Lindahl, the original

Keystone Kop, over at the fire station. Lindahl, known as his fellow

Koppers as Lil Bal Isle Ken, discussed the somewhat young tradition.

How did you become involved in the Balboa Island Parade?

When they started to dedicate the new fire station [in 1994], we

found out about it and the fire station was going to have a show of

fire engines like a short parade. So we got together and thought,

“Gee, it’d be nice if we could join in,” so we asked if it was all

right and they said yes.

So we met over at a house on the little island and planned the

first parade and it was while sitting there -- and if you’ve been

involved in community projects, everybody’s talking and you can’t

figure out who’s saying what and I looked at my wife and said, “This

sounds just like an old Max Senate comedy. All it needs is a Keystone

Kop.” She said, “Why don’t you?” So there we go. That’s how that came

about.

[Now Newport Beach Mayor] Steve Bromberg joined me. And then Earl

McDaniel joined in a year or so later. He’s on the Planning

Commission. Then we got Mickey Dunlop after he retired. He’s a civil

service person. So we’re all very much involved with citywide

activities.

So how many Keystone Kops are there today?

Four, we decided that if you get too many, then it’s not the

novelty anymore.

What qualities do you need personally to pull that off?

Well, what we’re really friendly with people and know people

across the island. We’re the kind of never grow-up type. We go around

and tease kids and have fun with them. For instance, if someone has

an electric cart and they leave it the street with the key in it,

I’ll drive it off. Just things like that. Just having fun.

And for the Fourth of July, we go over to Catalina and do it in

their parade. We’ve been there four or five times now.

How has the parade changed over the years?

It’s become more well known. Everybody wants to be in it now, so

this year, our entries are now over 100 for a two-block parade. We

have about 4,000 to 5,000 people on the island for it. Usually people

park off the island.

So how early do people show up? About 9 a.m.?

Sometimes. A lot of people will bring their chairs out and wait

until the parade starts. It’s always a happy crowd. We don’t have any

of the problems that a lot of other parades have had. We also

reinforcements in help through the Newport Beach Police Department,

through their Explorer group and other volunteer policemen.

The parade starts generally with two motorcycle officers coming

down over the bridge.

Why is that how it starts?

They usually go down each side of the street to move people back

from the parade route just to let people know it’s coming.

What did the first year consist of?

Well, we had the Fire Department and lifeguards, a couple bands,

children -- the first year it was aimed at having fun with the

children. And some of the local groups put in small floats. There are

prizes for many things in the parade. They change from year to year.

Who would you say has more fun: the kids or you as the Keystone

Kop?

[Laughs] That’s a toss up. We have a lot of fun and so do they. We

have a lot of fun with the youngsters.

Now, I think the claim is that this is the shortest parade in the

world.

Just about. One year, we called a Marine station and asked them if

they had a band or something to march in the parade. They answered

back, “How long is the parade?” “Two blocks.” “Not miles? Are you

sure? I’m sure if we can’t get going in two blocks,” so they sent

down a small contingent. It was a color guard. This year’s color

guard is the Newport Beach Police Explorer Color Guard. They’re very

good.

That’s another part of our theme in the parade is patriotism. We

have Pearl Harbor survivor in the parade this year. They marched last

year. This year, we have a Marine sergeant and his wife as guests of

honor. He’s just a few days back from Iraq.

Any final thoughts?

Come on down and enjoy yourself. We have the city officials and

dignitaries riding on convertibles in the parade. We have an Elvis.

Naturally, we have an Elvis.

Any clowns?

[Laughs] Us.