A crowning holiday tradition

June Casagrande

Imagine a 25-year-long walk that keeps building energy and momentum

with each passing year. That’s the Corona del Mar Christmas walk, a

long and winding street festival that on Sunday will transform Coast

Highway from a regular stretch of road into a holiday destination for

the whole family.

“We’re really stressing family this year,” said Barbara Boatman,

chairwoman of the festival put on each year by the Corona del Mar

Chamber of Commerce. “There will be strolling face painters and

clowns and a stilt walker. The Brownie Troop from Harbor View School

will be selling baked goods.”

Once you get planners talking about all the activities, exhibits,

performances, sale items and free services at the Christmas Walk,

it’s hard to get them to stop.

For example, there will be animals available for adoption, live

music, carolers, prize drawings and hot dogs for sale by Newport

Beach firefighters from their famous “Firemen’s Grill.”

There also will be a rock-climbing wall, a bungee jump, bounce

houses and even a place to test for free the level of antioxidants in

your body.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Kevin Priestly, whose

chiropractic practice will have a booth at this year’s Christmas

Walk. Priestly also helps put on the event on behalf of the chamber.

Among other things, Priestly’s booth will let kids get free photos

of them taken with a professional Santa Claus.

“It’s kind of our way of giving back to the community,” Priestly

said.

The annual event was started by longtime chamber member Luvena

Hayton as a fundraiser for the chamber, Boatman said, and it has

grown every year.

“The funds go to maintaining the beautification of Corona del

Mar,” Boatman said.

Between 8,000 and 10,000 people are expected to attend this year’s

Christmas Walk, despite forecasts of possible showers.

“It will be huge, rain or shine,” Boatman said.

* JUNE CASAGRANDE covers Newport Beach and John Wayne Airport. She

may be reached at (949) 574-4232 or by e-mail at

june.casagrande@latimes.com.