Boat parade sets sail

Deepa Bharath

Tasha Schilling has watched the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade

for so long that she can’t even remember how many years it’s been.

On Wednesday, the first night of the parade, she stood by herself

on the Balboa Island bridge gazing at the lighted boats gliding on

the dark water one by one.

Her face brightened by a smile, Schilling, a resident of Little

Balboa Island, talked about the annual tradition she loves and

cherishes.

“It’s very pretty,” she said. “And it’s a lot of fun.”

This year, the participants stayed true to the parade’s theme: “A

Holiday Beach Celebration.” Lighted palm trees were plentiful, as

were decorated surfboards and surfer-dude Santas and snowmen.

Loud cheers of “Merry Christmas” and “Happy holidays” filled the

air as adults and children watching the parade called out to the

participants. The people on the boats waved back with equal

animation. Most of the bigger boats played holiday music.

Laguna Beach couple Lorna and Todd Hammett said they enjoyed the

parade because it was something close to home that they could go to

as a family.

“The colors, the boats, it’s all very pretty,” Lorna Hammett said.

“I wish we could be on a boat,” their 5-year-old daughter,

Colette, said as she watched the boats hoisting herself on the

bridge’s iron railings.

Locals and visitors were noticing more lights and decorations on

the homes this year.

“I’ve never seen this many lights and such great decorations in

all the years I’ve been here,” said Joan Gregorius, a Balboa Island

resident for 40 years. “There are certainly a lot of fancy

decorations this time.”

The boat parade hasn’t changed dramatically over the years, but

for the locals, it’s been a part of their lives, Gregorius said.

“I also enjoy looking at all these people who come out here and

have a great time,” she said.

As for Schilling, it’s a ritual. She watches it twice every night

-- once from West Bay Front and once from East Bay Front.

“When I get to the other side, of course, I start yelling and

waving out to the people on the boats,” she said with a laugh. “This

is just the first night. There’s a lot more to come.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].