THE HARBOR COLUMN:

Rain or shine, the 100th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade was planned to begin Wednesday night with a fireworks show that would lead into the start of the hundreds of boats cruising around the harbor.

However, the start the parade was postponed until tonight, and no, rain was not the culprit. The parade was postponed due to the high wind the weather service had predicted, and that prediction was the basis for the parade officials to cancel the first night; but all is not lost: The parade continues nightly, ending Sunday.

Since it was raining at the Fun Zone on Wednesday, I had already canceled the outside announcing for the parade because no one wanted to stand in the rain and — more importantly — the equipment cannot get wet.

So, we were setting up inside the exhibit hall at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum for my live radio broadcast that evening when first I received a call from Richard Luehrs, Chamber of Commerce president, and another call immediately afterward from Brett Hemphill, chairman of the parade. Both informed me that the decision was made to cancel the first night due to the winds and a small craft advisory warning.

Some people may disagree about canceling the parade, but the decision was based on safety.

Any captain of a vessel would agree that prudent seamanship would be not to put your vessel in harm’s way.

Allowing the parade to proceed could have given a false sense of security to the parade boaters.

The good news is that the weather is expected to be good the remainder of the week, with only a slight chance of showers Sunday. Let’s hope Sunday is dry because the fireworks show from the Balboa Pier has been rescheduled for the last night of the parade.

Tip of the week is that if you are searching for somewhere to view the parade, join me at the Fun Zone in Balboa.

I will be announcing the parade nightly from the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum with my announcer’s booth set-up next to the carousel, and keep in mind that the parade will arrive at the Fun Zone at 6:35 p.m. each of the five nights.

Remember to tune in every Saturday at 11 a.m. to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” broadcasting from our studios inside Angel Stadium on KLAA-AM (830).

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to www.boathousetv.com.