Annual events keep summer sizzling

Noaki Schwartz

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of our season-long series of “Summer

Stories.” They will run every Friday in the Daily Pilot.

The skies have cleared, temperatures are rising and soon summer will

officially kick off with the start of the area’s annual events.

Along with the weather changes, Newport Beach transforms from a little

seaside boating community to a full-blown beach resort and destination

for tourists looking for that little slice of Southern California.

There are a number of annual summer events that define Newport-Mesa and

are not to be missed. This year, in addition to the traditional

festivities like the annual Orange County Fair or the Newport Dunes

Fireworks Show, there are also some new ones like RASL Dazzle -- an arts

and crafts fair at Mariners Park.

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR

For children like Colby Reed and his sister, Teal, the real summer fun

starts with the fair.

“We pretty much go every day,” said Colby, 13, an admitted game addict.

“It’s got rides, exhibits, contest and booths. It’s a fun thing to hang

out at.”

Teal, 10, readily agreed.

“I like the livestock,” she said. “The chickens, goats, pigs and rabbits

-- but my favorites are the rats. I’ve had a lot of them before. They’re

nice and live long.”

The fair’s theme this year is “Hot!Hot!Hot! We’re Spicin’ It Up.” The

mascot of smiling chilis reflects the theme of the 108th annual event and

will emphasize how the flavors and textures of peppers are appreciated in

all cultures.

The theme will carry through in exhibits, contests and food. While chili

may be great for some, Colby and Teal plan on sticking to their fair

favorites -- corn on the cob, cinnamonrolls and Orange Julius drinks.

The best time to go the fair, said Colby, is at night. This year’s free

entertainment includes Rick Springfield, Charo and Jose Feliciano and the

Electric Light Orchestra II.

“It’s fun to see all the carnies,” Colby added. “I volunteered once as a

rodeo clown for the mechanical bull. I got free rides on the mechanical

bull until I pulled a groin muscle.”

The fair runs July 14-30.

DUNES FIREWORKS

One of the biggest events in Newport is, without a doubt, the Dunes

Fourth of July fireworks show and celebration. The show will feature

scores of red, blue, green and silver chrysanthemums blooming across the

sky.

There will also be a waterfall of fire and comets that will soar over the

Back Bay.

“It’s really fantastic,” said Dunes owner Tim Quinn. “They shoot right

over the lagoon.”

The $20,000 show is about 20 minutes long and features fireworks by the

same company responsible for Disneyland’s famous show. Quinn said he’s

been to about a dozen of the shows and looks forward to July 4, which is

the biggest event each year at the Dunes.

Every employee has to work that day to coordinate all the

morning-to-night activities, Quinn said.

“When we hire new people, the first thing we tell them is that they’ll

have to work the Fourth of July,” Quinn said laughing.

Along with the dazzling display, the resort will also feature carnival

games, face-painting and drawings throughout the day, Quinn said.

Rounding out the festivities will be a Hula-Hoop, limbo contest and

volleyball tournament.

“But the real highlight is the fireworks spectacular,” Quinn said.

For more information call (949) 729-DUNE. The resort is at 1131 Back Bay

Drive in Newport Beach.

JULY 4 BOAT PARADE

The American Legion Yacht Club will host its annual Fourth of July boat

parade, which winds through Newport Harbor. More than 80,000 spectators

are expected to watch the wildly decorated boats participating in this

year’s 41st annual event.

“It’s probably the biggest event in Newport Beach outside the fireworks,”

said American Legion member and boat parade volunteer Bill Shaffer,

adding that he’s seen boats decorated as tanks, American flags and even a

Statue of Liberty.

Shaffer has been involved with the parade for the last three years and is

enthusiastic about the daylong event sponsored by American Legion Post

291. The day starts with a pancake breakfast and the parade begins around

1 p.m.

“It’s the most fun event and the biggest event of the American Legion,”

he said. “It takes nine months to plan.”

While Shaffer sailed when he was “much younger” he said, he doesn’t plan

on entering this year’s parade. Instead, he said, he’ll fill up on

pancakes and quietly watch as the boats sail by.

REVIVING THE DRIVE-IN

The summer will kick off this weekend with free outdoor movie showings at

the Dunes. Movies like “Galaxy Quest,” “Runaway Bride” and “Star Wars --

The Phantom Menace” are among the selections that will run every Friday

and Saturday evening during the summer months.

The movies will be shown on a huge 9-by-12-foot screen by the water.

Campfires will blaze during the features so that guests can roast

marshmallows and make s’ mores while they watch.

MARINERS BIKE PARADE

This year’s Fourth of July Celebration at Mariners Park will feature

family games and activities with Barnaby the Clown. The event will begin

with the traditional bike and walking parade.

The festivities, in their 27th year, will also include raffles. The grand

prize is a new bicycle.

Following the games, participants can fill up on barbecued hot dogs, soft

drinks and other edible items.

The famed bike parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Mariners Drive and Commodore

Road.

RASL DAZZLE

The new summer event at Mariners Park is a celebration of art, music and

food. Local artists will show off their wares, including one-of-a-kind

jewelry and handmade crafts.

There will also be performances by Oasis’ Ukulele Group, dance troupes

and other local talent. And from noon to 2 p.m., the In-N-Out Burger

wagon will be on hand to refuel visitors.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to learn about fall recreation

service classes, senior center activities, Newport Beach Public Library

programs and cultural arts events from community services.

The fair is Aug. 12 from 12 noon to 4 p.m.