Wishing upon a sail

Children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will be celebrating much more than Fourth of July today. They will be reveling in the completion of their wishes.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to granting wishes to children who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses or conditions. To recognize kids who have completed or are close to completing their wishes, the Orange County and Inland Empire chapter is teaming up with the American Legion Yacht Club to involve the kids in Newport Harbor’s annual Fourth of July Old Glory Boat Parade.

“We do it every year, but this year is a little different,” said Nicole Magana, who helped coordinate the event. “This year we have had a much better response. It is double what it was last year.”

In 2007, almost 150 people attended the event. This year, 247 people from Make-A-Wish are going, and there is still a long waiting list. Parents and siblings of the 55 children chosen to participate are all invited.

“The kids are excited and the parents are excited,” Magana said. “Everyone is really looking forward to it.”

The Old Glory Boat Parade is a tradition for Newport Harbor and this year, it is having its 57th anniversary to the theme “America the Beautiful.”

“You will see lots of red, white and blue,” said Linda Christensen, office manager for the American Legion in Newport Harbor. “We have upwards of 100 boats in the parade normally.”

This was not always the case. When the Old Glory custom first began, it was more like a meager procession than a parade.

“It started out as a tiny event with a few boats,” Christensen said. “Now it is huge, and there are lots of big boats.”

Adorned in the flag’s colors, boats will be competing for awards and trophies. Categories include best sailboat, best tugboat, Sweepstakes Trophy, best sound and music, Commodores Trophy and best theme, to name a few.

The fun begins at 7 a.m. today with a community pancake breakfast hosted by the American Legion Yacht Club at Newport Harbor Post 291, 215 E. 15th St.

Anyone interested in attending will be welcomed. Marines from Camp Pendleton and the new Orange County sheriff, Sandra Hutchens, will be there.

The pancake breakfast will last from 7 to 11 a.m. and costs $8 per person. Afterward, a lunch including chicken and tri-tip roast will be served for $10 per person.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is taking care of all the expenses for the kids and families involved in the Make-A-Wish program.

The parade, sponsored by American Legion, will start at 1 p.m., led by the fireboat. Children from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will get the opportunity to ride on a party boat throughout the harbor and be part of the parade.

Although spectators can see the parade from several points along the channels of Newport Harbor, a recommended viewing spot is at the American Legion Newport Harbor Post 291.

People are not allowed to bring food, drinks or beach chairs, Christensen said. There is ample outdoor seating.

“The Make-A-Wish children will all get goodie bags filled with little treats,” Christensen said.

“The whole day should be really nice.”