Parade on a new tack

Organizers make some changes to Christmastime event, among them an adjusted name, a master of ceremonies, and new rules for participants. With little more than a month before the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, one of the city’s largest annual events, the committee in charge of putting together the event is working hard to get things organized.

Though the parade is going into its 97th year and has long been a successful event for the city, some changes have been made that organizers hope will make this year’s festivities more enjoyable for spectators.

“We’ve been trying to organize this parade and make it more meaningful and more definitive,” said Richard Luehrs, president of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. “What we’re really trying to do is organize things beforehand rather than the night of the parade.”

Boat parade chairman Ralph Rodheim said four major changes have been made, the first being the official title. This year’s event, which runs from Dec. 14 to 18, is called the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade -- a change from past years, when the event was called the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade. Rodheim said the decision to change the title was made because organizers felt that tourists are more familiar with Newport Beach.

The second change is the addition of an official lead boat and finishing boat. The lead boat will feature a reindeer among its decorations and has been donated for use in the parade by McKenna Yachts. A finishing boat will signify the end of the official parade and will feature a giant inflatable Santa Claus, as well as a real live Santa Claus. The finishing boat will be donated by Ocean Alexander.

Rodheim said to try to better organize the procession they’ll assign all entrants a number, which will likely keep the parade flowing more smoothly.

“Entrants must enter and get a number,” Rodheim said. “They must attend a skipper’s meeting, which will go over all new procedures and safety requirements.”

New this year: skippers should be aware that if a boat ducks out mid-parade, it will not be allowed to re-enter the procession.

“To enhance the experience for the spectators, we have the voice of the parade, which this year will be commodore Mike Whitehead,” Rodheim said of the third big change, the addition of a parade emcee. “He will be on the Balboa Peninsula, between the pavilion and the ferry.”

Both Luehrs and Rodheim said Whitehead will be provided with information on each of the entries -- about the boats, the owners and the decorations -- and will offer, via loudspeakers at the pavilion, running commentary for the viewers.

“It will just make it a more enjoyable experience,” Rodheim said, adding that it’s already a great event and they are just trying to make it better.

Luehrs said the pavilion will serve as a viewing area for residents and tourists, where in past years people would just watch from wherever they could.

“We think this will be much more comfortable, and you’re much more likely to find a parking space,” Luehrs said.

The final change is the addition of honorary grand marshals. Three groups have been invited to take part this year, each on different nights -- the city’s policemen, firemen and lifeguards; people who have made a positive difference in the city over the past 100 years, to celebrate the city’s centennial; and members of the U.S. Marine Corps.

“Being the first year, we can get a feel for how it all works and how the people enjoy it,” Whitehead said of the changes. “Next year we’ll make modifications if we need to.”

Luehrs said Whitehead was selected to be the voice of this year’s parade because he has a dynamic radio voice, knows the harbor extremely well, and is a member of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Commodores Club. He has been actively involved in the parade for many years.

“This will be the first in 20 years I won’t be skippering in the parade,” Whitehead said, adding that he is looking forward to his new role. “What’s nice is the spectators will have somewhere to go. What it will do is it will give a base for the parade.”

Whitehead said the pavilion is also about mid-point for the procession, which will give people plenty of time to get home from work and get out to the pavilion to watch the show.

Rodheim said the chamber is encouraging people to get their entry forms in early. So far, about 20 boats have registered and the chamber’s goal is to have 100 entries.

“We also have this thing called the Ring of Lights,” Rodheim said. “We encourage homeowners to decorate their homes.... We hope that all the bay-front and waterfront homes will be decorated.”

He added that resources are available to help with decorations -- all people need to do is contact the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce at (949) 729-4400.

* LINDSAY SANDHAM is the news assistant. She can be reached at (714) 966-4625 or lindsay.sandham@latimes.com.

20051111i8xz4ukfDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)One of the more festive entries in the 2004 Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade makes its way through the water.