An interdependent day reigns

Jeff Benson

Two-dozen 6-year-olds got down on all fours, ignoring for a moment

the smell of roasting Fourth of July hot dogs, the breathless panting

of some live dogs and the temptation of those big, bouncy, inflated

thingies.

When their parents began cheering them on, some of the wee

competitors didn’t understand the complexity of their roles and

abruptly toppled over onto their sides. The ones who did, however,

crawled backward, exactly as they were supposed to.

Likewise, this year’s Fourth of July holiday went as it was

supposed to. Thousands donning the red, white and blue showed up for

the events Sunday at Mariners Park in Newport Beach, which featured a

rock-climbing wall, an obstacle course, food, carnival games and

contests.

Judy Gentry, chairwoman of the Mariners Elementary School

Foundation, said Sunday’s was the best turnout she’s seen at the

event in the five years she’s worked at it. The event is in its 31st

year.

“The weather is incredible, and I think people are being so

patriotic this year, especially with everything that’s happened

overseas,” she said. “I think everything’s more so this year.”

Newport Beach resident Kurt Edler got caught up in the patriotism

by writing a personalized note to military personnel overseas. Tony

and Taffy Dalby’s nonprofit organization, Operation Interdependence,

sends 350 packages and handwritten notes of encouragement monthly to

troops who “receive little from anyone else.”

“I picked this postcard because it’s the exact rescue boat I used

to ride around in,” said Edler, a 33-year-old lifeguard. “But I just

told them, ‘My job pales in comparison to the job you’re doing for

me, my family and the rest of this country.’”

The patriotic mood carried over throughout the day, both on the

baseball field and on the water.

In an act Barnum and Bailey would be proud of, a man others

applauded as “Skipper” shimmied up the 30-foot mast of his yacht

while his boat was moving -- just so he could untangle the enormous

American flag he’d fastened there. Minutes later, “Old Glory” once

again flapped around in the breeze. His shipmates would get no

encore, but they rewarded him nonetheless with a rousing ovation.

Spectators fortunate to find parking spots lined Balboa Peninsula,

Balboa Island and Lido Island to catch the 1 p.m. Newport Old Glory

Boat Parade.

About 100 boats of all sizes, from dinghies to yachts to

triple-decker cruise ships, paraded from Collins Island around

Newport Harbor Sunday to convey their excitement for the Fourth of

July holiday.

Boats were strung together in clusters, allowing people to walk

freely between them. Other boats were full of passersby, just taking

it all in.

As always, safety was of the utmost concern, but that didn’t stop

anyone from getting a little rowdy. Some boating enthusiasts were

cognizant enough to hide their stashes of beer and margaritas from

the passing Harbor Patrol boats. The majority, though, screamed

“Happy Fourth!” from behind dozens of American flags.

The event was sponsored by the Newport Beach American Legion Yacht

Club. The club also held its own event, selling food and drinks at

its post on the Balboa Peninsula. Post Commander Randy Eling said all

the proceeds would benefit various veterans charities and Boys State,

which sponsors high school students by sending them to Sacramento for

a week to learn about how government operates.

Eling said he usually has a pretty hectic schedule helping to

coordinate the Yacht Club’s events. His role Sunday? Manning the

grill as early as 7 a.m.

“Hey, this is a celebration of America’s birthday,” Eling said.

“It’s been 228 years, and we’re happy and proud to be out here.”

* JEFF BENSON is the news assistant and may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at [email protected].