From the Boathouse: Celebrating the Fourth on the water
Ahoy!
The 80th annual Flight of the Lasers in Newport Harbor is starting to appear on my radar screen. This race will be held July 19, so I am giving everyone enough notice to register for the event.
The Commodore’s Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, of which I confess to being a member, hosts this event with the Newport Ocean Sailing Assn. The course covers most of the lower bay and the race is a great family event. There 10 trophy categories from best costume to first married couple. I wonder who is barking orders on the married couples’ boats?
I will have more details soon but you can cruise to flightofthelasers.org for more information.
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Fourth of July Events:
Across the nation on the Fourth of July weekend, the waterways will be very busy with the combination of the improving economy, people wanting to recreate, and the Fourth falling on Saturday.
These elements will make this one of the busiest boating days of the year and boating organizations, are reminding boaters to keep safety first and be courteous to others.
There are two time-honored traditions in Newport Harbor on the Fourth that attract thousands of boaters and landlubbers alike. The first event of the day is the American Legion’s Old Glory Boat Parade that cruises the harbor in the early afternoon, and after sunset is the popular Newport Dunes Waterfront and Resort fireworks display.
Old timers will remember years ago when the Old Glory Boat Parade was named the Character Boat Parade. Now the parade is hosted by Newport’s American Legion Post 291. As is customary, the lead boat will be the Newport Harbor Patrol fireboat from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and the deputies usually have huge streams of water shooting out of the monitors.
Then the brightly decked-out boats with decorations from red, white and blue to let-your-imagination-run-wild will cruise in line behind the fireboat.
Additionally, the American Legion is hosting a pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. for only $10 per person. Then while The Grumps band is playing, lunch will be served from noon until 5 p.m. for $25.
Boat owners who are interested in participating in the parade can call the American Legion at (949) 673-5070, or stop by at 215 15th St. on the Balboa Peninsula.
Newport Dunes will be hosting its annual Fourth of July event with bands playing on two stages starting in the afternoon.
The main stage will have ‘70s tribute bands from 3 to 9 p.m.. The second stage will have the music of the ‘60s from 2 to 7:45 p.m.. There will be a beer and wine garden and no-host bars. Gates open at 8 a.m. and admission is $50 per car.
Then, after the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean, the sky will light up with the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort’s annual fireworks extravaganza. This is one the premier fireworks displays in our area and boaters can watch from their vessels as well. The Dunes is at 1131 Back Bay Drive. For more information, call (800) 765-7661.
Boaters planning to cruise into the Back Bay to watch the fireworks, need to know the tides for clearance under the Coast Highway Bridge and the tidal action. My favorite harbor location to watch from a boat is the large turning basin by the anchorage area.
I hope everyone has a safe and happy Fourth of July. I will be racing that weekend.
As always, just keep an eye to the weather for any changes. Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, please boat responsibly and look behind you before you turn the wheel.
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Safe voyages!
MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathouse.com or go to https://www.boathousetv.com.