Huntington Harbour Boat Parade a go for this weekend, but people from out of town discouraged to come watch
Though the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has put a damper on many holiday plans, one Christmas tradition will continue this weekend in Huntington Harbour.
The 58th annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade will go on this weekend as scheduled in Huntington Beach, though the Cruise of Lights that would typically follow has been canceled for 2020.
Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee public relations chair Lara Anderson said that the boat parade is usually just offered as a thank you to Huntington Harbour residents for decorating their homes for the Cruise of Lights.
“Nobody’s going to buy tickets to see a bunch of dark homes,” she said. “Even though we can’t do the Cruise of Lights because of COVID-19, the volunteers decided to go forward and continue the tradition of the parade.”
Tito Ortiz, a former MMA star, Dan Kalmick and Natalie Moser are each sworn in as new Huntington Beach City Council members.
There are 70 festive boats signed up for this year’s boat parade, Anderson said, which runs Saturday and Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. Officials said people from out of town are encouraged not to visit the parade route in person, but rather to watch a livestream on the group’s Facebook page on Saturday night only. Those interested can also track the parade route.
“The Cruise of Lights is usually our fundraiser,” Anderson said, adding that it raises money for the Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s youth music education programs.
“That’s our big public event, where we have parking, Port-a-potties, shuttle buses. We could handle 10,000 people at that ... We strongly discourage anyone coming from outside the area [to watch the boat parade]. It’s nothing we publicize, because it’s really by locals, for locals. The Harbour is a very small public area and it’s largely residential.”
Huntington Beach Councilman Erik Peterson is the grand marshal for this year’s parade. Its theme is “America Strong! Revel in the Rhythm!”
Anderson said the 70 boats is more than usual, at least partially because Huntington Harbour residents will not be hosting boat parade parties over the weekend. The event is considered safe, as social distancing can be done on boats, Anderson said.
“It’s up to people to be personally responsible, but we are staying home,” she said. “This is our home. It’s important to keep the tradition going, even though it’s just for fun.”
Other cities like Dana Point and neighboring Newport Beach have canceled their boat parades for 2020. Though Newport Beach’s 112th annual event was canceled, some organizers have put together an “official unofficial” parade set for Dec. 17 through 19.
The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce said it would be cancelling the 112th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade on Wednesday, but Councilman Kevin Muldoon hopes to change minds.
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