THE GOOD OLD DAYS:Dunes’ fireworks a Newport tradition

Since its inception in 1958, the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina’s Fourth of July celebration has been one of Newport Beach’s most popular summertime traditions.

The Dunes was born in 1958, originally intended to rival popular theme-park giants Knott’s Berry Farm and Disneyland, which opened in 1940 and 1955, respectively.

“The Dunes is coming up on its 50th anniversary,” said Andrew Theodorou, vice president and general manager of the Newport Dunes. Like Disneyland and Knott’s, “the Dunes has definitely become a longtime family tradition in our community.”

With its acres of lagoon and beach, and a spectacular fireworks show over the water in the evening, the Dunes quickly became a popular Fourth of July hot spot for locals.

Newport Beach resident Bill Haskell has watched most of the glimmering nighttime shows since the 1960s. During the early ‘60s, Haskell took his family out on his boat to watch the fireworks.

“It was so crowded in the bay that we could hardly anchor,” he said, recalling the huge crowds.

Every year since then, more and more boats pack into the small lagoon to watch the show, which has amassed more than 10,000 attendees in the last few years. To accommodate the growing numbers of guests, the Dunes saw big changes under the supervision of the Evans family, who owned and operated it until 2002, Theodorou said.

Today, the Dunes boasts many land and water sports.

One guest who takes advantage of just about everything the Dunes has to offer is Newport Beach resident Bob Robins, who has attended Fourth of July celebrations there for the last 15 years. Every year, Robins books a waterfront spot in the RV parking lot for a full week.

“There’s a lot of activities, with volleyball and horseshoes and bocce ball, even some people dressed up like Disneyland characters for the kids,” Robins said. “I’m just so glad it has come back again, and I think it’s better than it ever has been.”

The “coming back” Robins spoke of refers to 2002 — the only year since 1958 the Dunes did not put on a fireworks show. After much upset in the community, the city stepped in to help fund the fireworks display, and now the gala shows no signs of stopping.

As the Dunes’ celebration approaches its 50th anniversary, Theodorou said plans are already being made for next year, including the biggest, best fireworks show ever and “three or four community event parties.”

Robins said he thinks the show is also valuable in the community because it counters the strict ban on personal fireworks in Newport Beach.

“Newport Beach is one of the cities that doesn’t allow fireworks, but when you see a display like that, you realize you don’t need to have your own fireworks. They do a great job,” he said.