Boat owners go ahead with canceled Newport Beach holiday parade [The Orange County Register]
Dec. 18 An estimated 160 brightly lit vessels toured the Newport Harbor Thursday evening in a parade organized by boat owners unhappy the community’s beloved annual event had been canceled by coronavirus concerns.
The unofficial parade was pulled together after the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, the host of the traditional parade, canceled its 112th annual event amid increasing state restrictions on gatherings and businesses to curb the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.
More than 100 boats had registered to participate before the start of the parade on Thursday, Dec. 17, but Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials expected that number would likely grow and had staffed up. Outdoor recreation is allowed under the most recent stay-at-home orders.