Annual event more than a parade

Coral Wilson

Balboa Island residents were originally against plans for a new fire

station. But, 10 years later, the station has become an integral part

of the neighborhood and the residents have turned its birthday into

an annual excuse for fun and celebration -- the Balboa Island Parade.

On Sunday, the community gathered together once again for the

parade that began as a dedication of the new fire station in 1994.

Those who have attended since the first event said it has the same

old-fashioned, small town feel, except it gets bigger every year.

“At first there was a lot of disharmony but now we see our

neighbors at every parade,” said Fire Chief Tim Riley. “We took

something that was not a pleasant issue and turned it into a great

success.”

Now the short two and a half block march down Marine Avenue is

organized by local residents and businesses and celebrates all that

is grand about Balboa Island.

“This is what America is all about,” said Mel Linscott. “Neighbors

getting together to greet neighbors, the camaraderie, there is

nothing like Balboa Island.”

For 15 years, Mel and Jack Linscott of Newport Beach owned a fast

food restaurant at the ferry called The Quickie. Residents of the

area since 1968, they said they have seen many parades and many

changes.

“It was smaller with fewer people, but they were just as

enthusiastic,” Mel Linscott said. “This day, this time is a role

model for any city, USA”

The couple brought along Baby, their champagne toy poodle, dressed

up with red nail polish, an American flag patterned hat, a scarf and

sunglasses. The dog is another well-known resident of the island, Mel

Linscott said.

“This is what she likes to do,” he said. “She likes to make people

happy.”

This year the parade was dedicated to Sherry Kerns who died

Friday, only days before the parade. As co-owner of The Sandpiper for

19 years, Kerns used to donate balloons, take photos and prepare for

the parade with a window display.

“She was always smiling no matter what happened,” said Betty

Gilbert, co-owner of The Sandpiper store. “She knew everyone’s name

and everyone’s dog and cat.”

The parade had been a special day for Kerns, she said.

“She was special to everyone here, especially the fire department

guys,” Gilbert said. “It’s going to be very different without her.”

As Summer Bress stood on the sidelines waiting for her husband and

kids to come down the street with their “Kids on Wheels” float, she

said the parade didn’t seem the same without Kerns.

“She was one of Balboa Island’s most favorite people,” Bress said.

“She was so sweet and kind.”

The parade had become a big event for Bress whose family who had

won the award three times in the past four years. Kerns had been the

only vendor on Marine Avenue who Bress could trust enough to reveal

each year’s theme beforehand, she said. Really the family’s float is

just a decorated wagon, but their designs have become more elaborate

over the years, she said.

“You don’t have to build a float, you can just put on a weird hat

and walk,” Bress said. “You don’t even need a weird hat, anything

goes.”

Marine Sgt. Benjamin Scofield, 25, who returned from Kuwait on

Tuesday, was invited to the parade as a special guest by the Newport

Harbor Nautical Museum. The crowd greeted him with handshakes and

gratitude.

The Marine, based at Camp Pendleton but originally from Virginia,

said he was impressed with his first visit to Balboa Island.

“It’s incredible,” he said. “It’s just a great feeling, just a

great area. People say his on the streets and greet you in the

morning.”

Once they found out he was a Marine, the welcome was even more

heart-felt with big hugs and hearty welcomes, his wife Mariah added.

Antique cars, decorated golf carts, city officials, electric

vehicles, a gondola, bands playing live music and old-fashioned fire

trucks from neighboring departments drove by. Miniature horses, a

pink poodle, lifeguards and local performers made the short stroll

down the avenue.

The Village Inn patio chair drill team performed their latest

routine. Hula dancers, poodles and children displayed their talents.

Bystanders ran into the streets to collect candy, t-shirts and other

souvenirs.

The parade involved 120 entrants, 400 to 500 marchers, dozens of

volunteers and more than 4,000 people watching on the sidelines, said

Craig Page, president of the Balboa Island Improvement Assn.

As 10-year-old Samantha Smith was singing for the crowd, Kirk

Thomson said such performances are the reasons he brings his family.

“The kids -- that’s the best part because they are so cute,” he

said. “It’s local talent.”

Merry Moss-Taylor said she comes out to see neighbors.

“We always run into people we know,” she said. “I was born here,

raised here and I am never leaving.”

As the parade came to an end, people began to gather at the other

end of the street for speeches by the fire department and Newport

Beach Mayor Steve Bromberg and the best part -- the awards.

Once again, the Bress family’s Anaheim Angels Edison Field wagon

won for Best Kid on Wheels.

“The Lakers couldn’t do it but we could,” Nigel, 6, ran to tell

his father upon hearing the news.

“I feel awesome,” he said. “Because we just tried our best and we

hoped a lot and we worked a lot.”

* CORAL WILSON is the news assistant and may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at coral.wilson@latimes.com.