Sailing into the season

Stephanie Sortijas

NEWPORT BEACH - For Steve Harvey, being part of the procession of

illuminated vessels in the annual Newport Christmas Boat Parade is one

way to sail into the holiday spirit.

“I love the happy feeling of being in the parade. It definitely gets you

into the season,” said the Fountain Valley man, who spent 10 hours last

year nailing giant plastic snowflakes, 400 feet of lights and an

animated, unicycling Santa Claus figure to the powerboat Private Sea for

the event.

“You’re spending seven nights out on the waters with friends, and can

feel the closeness and the warmth of the people who line the shores to

watch the boats go by,” he added.

For this year’s parade, which will be held nightly from Dec. 17-23,

Harvey expects to get an early start on decorating his two-time

award-winning boat, beginning on Sunday.

David McIntyre, of Newport Beach-based SASCO Electric, has been

decorating the company boat for the parade for more than a decade.

He said it takes about a week for 4 or 5 employees to adorn the 70-foot

El Navegante with lights and a cast of moving characters like Santa

Claus, polar bears, penguins, Grinches, and elves.

“The amount of decorations seems to grow every year. I think we’re

running out of room and need to get a bigger boat,” he said, laughing.

Newport’s holiday tradition began in 1907, when Italian gondolier Joseph

Scarpa and Balboa Ferry Line developer Joseph Beek led a group of eight

canoes, illuminated with Japanese lanterns, across the harbor.

This year, about 150 boats are expected to enter the event, hosted by the

Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Gas Company

and Southern California Edison.

Chamber President Doug Stuckey said the parade draws upward of one

million people annually, a boon to local retailers and restaurateurs.

“It’s outstanding for all the businesses -- an economic shot in the arm,”

said Stuckey. “After summer in Newport, visitors seem to dwindle. But the

parade has gotten so incredible over the years to the point where

everybody knows about it now. People get here very early to stake out

their spots, and it’s just been a nonstop flow of calls to the chamber.

“Of course, the main attraction is always the really spectacular show of

boats,” he added. “It’s the last boat parade of the millennium and I’m

anticipating some really elaborate, era-themed things.”

FYI

WHAT: The 91st Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade

WHEN: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 17-23

WHERE: Begins and ends at Collins Harbor

PHONE: (949) 729-4400