Here’s to the next 100 years

Lisa and Julio Pagan knelt on the asphalt in a parking lot on Balboa Peninsula. Below their chalk-dusted hands, a scene straight from a black-and-white photograph taken 100 years ago on the opening day of the Balboa Pavilion came to life in full color.

The San Clemente couple worked diligently throughout the afternoon, laying a piece of history out on the ground as a commemoration of another day in history, the 100th anniversary of Newport Beach.

The city closed its centennial celebrations Sunday with a killer beach blast featuring art, music, and food.

Time has changed since the photograph, which Lisa Pagan found on the Internet, was taken, so she figured the image could use a little something new.

“I thought I’d give it some color,

colorize it,” Lisa Pagan said.

The chalk-drawing replication of the photograph of the Balboa Pavilion in 1906 would not last long, but that didn’t bother the artists..

“I like how fragile it is,” Julio Pagan said. “You have to enjoy it while you can.”

Thousands gathered on the sidewalks and alleyways between the Newport and Balboa piers, which were as packed with beach cruisers as they were people. Despite that, driving along the peninsula was less of a problem than anticipated.

It probably helped that Newport-Mesa school buses shuttled guests between the two piers and to 15th Street for the Antique Motorcycle and Woodie Car shows.

Brothers Andrew and Casey Shearer came from Costa Mesa with their friend, Ryland Thacker, and their parents to watch a friend’s band, Common Sense, perform on Balboa Pier’s main stage.

Just checking out the live music, hanging by the beach and drinking soda was a blast, the boys said.

Common Sense — which was on the playlist with Dick Dale and Sugar Ray, Poncho Sanchez, the Chantays and the Young Dubliners — drew in the crowds who up until then mainly stuck to nearby booths.

“The [lead singer] was really interacting with the crowd,” said Dierdre O’Neill Machin, one of the many volunteers keeping the events moving smoothly.

Newport Beach Battle of the Band winners Three Mile Walk were first to play at 2 p.m. They also performed on the Balboa Pier main stage.

“I thought it was wonderful,” volunteer Shanda Lear-Baylor said. “The most fun was standing next to [Mayor] Don Webb and hearing him talk about the history of the city.”

Webb really knows and loves this city, she said.

So many do.

Many residents at the festival said they were proud of the city’s history.

“We’ve had a fantastic year from the very beginning,” the mayor’s wife, Jan Webb, said.

The Webbs brought two of their grandchildren to the event, crossing the harbor in a private boat to reach the festivities.

It was 4-year-old Ella Webb’s first time on a boat.

Being a historian for the city does not mean this mayor is going to revel in the past. He is already looking toward the next chapter for this city on the Pacific Coast.

“I think we had a wonderful celebration, and when you have a wonderful celebration you have to move on to the next thing.”

VOICES FROM THE CROWD

The Daily Pilot asked guests of ‘100 Years Between the Piers’ what they enjoyed about the festivities and Newport Beach.

“A lot of volunteers have worked really hard getting this put together. “

“Newport Beach is a community first and foremost. That’s what makes it so special, it’s a little piece of heaven.”

“You get a little taste of para- dise here, don’t even have to go away for a vacation … looking at the beach and the ocean.”

“This is the best city in California. It’s beautiful and fun for the kids. I love it.”

“You couldn’t ask for nicer weather. There’s something for everybody.”

“It’s the geography that [makes this place special], how the harbor, the cliffs, rocks and back bay are all laid out.”