Two of America’s longest running parades begin new tradition together
NEWPORT BEACH, CA (October 29, 2014)– The Tournament of Roses 2015 Royal Court will dazzle one of the boats this year on the fourth night, Saturday, December 20 2014, at the 106th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. This will mark one of approximately one hundred appearances for the Rose Queen® and the Royal Court before the official Rose Parade® on January 1, 2015. Having the beautiful ladies of the Royal Court participate in the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade celebrates and commemorates the extensive history of both parades by starting this new tradition. This year’s Rose Queen is Madison Tripett and the Royal Court is Bergen Onufer, Simona Shao, Gabrielle Current, Mackenzie Byers, Veronica Mejia and Emily Stoker.
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights home decorating competition is Newport Beach’s Christmas card to the world. The boat parade runs for five consecutive nights, beginning Wednesday, December 17 and ending Sunday, December 21, 2014. Each night the parade starts at Bay Island at 6:30 p.m. and finishes at the same site at approximately 9:00 p.m., completing its 14.7-mile route around Newport Harbor. The theme for the 2014 Christmas Boat Parade is “Deck the Hulls with Bows of Jolly”.
“How fortunate that a parade that inspired my grandfather will be honored in our parade on water. Combining the rich history of both parades pays homage to the fun Southern California holiday pastime that people know and love, “says David Beek, 2014 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Co-Chairman.
Each year, many boat and home participants decorate with millions of lights and decorations, which helped Newport Beach earn the designation in 2011 as the “#2 Destination in the Country for Holiday Lights” by Yahoo Travel. Additionally, the Christmas Boat Parade has been hailed as “One of the top ten holiday happenings in the nation” by the New York Times.
Serving, as the backdrop for the hundreds of lighted boats in the parade is the annual “Ring of Lights” contest. A spectacle all its own, beautifully decorated bayside homes and businesses surrounding the harbor go “all out” with their own holiday spirit, featuring everything from roof-top animated scenes to dancing Christmas trees. With its own judged categories and prizes awarded, the “Ring of Lights” has become as celebrated as the boat parade itself.
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights are organized by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. The organizing committees look forward each year to see how the boat owners and homeowners will decorate around the theme. Some boat owners in the past have spent over $50,000 to decorate their vessels for the event.
Presenting sponsors of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights are the City of Newport Beach, Visit Newport Beach, Inc., Simple Green and Meguiar’s.
Since 1890, the Tournament of Roses has helped the world welcome the New Year. The magnificent floral floats in the Rose Parade and the exciting football action at the Rose Bowl® Stadium have become holiday traditions for millions of people around the world. Reigning over these festivities is the Royal Court. The first Rose Queen was crowned in 1905 and every year since 1929, the Royal Court has been part of the Tournament of Roses tradition. The 126th Rose Parade themed “Inspiring Stories,” will take place on New Years Day, Thursday, January 1, 2015.
Four former Rose Queens call Newport Beach home.
For more information about the 106th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, please visit www.christmasboatparade.com.
For information on hotel packages or restaurants with specials during the parade go to www.visitnewportbeach.com.
For more information about the Rose Parade go to
www.tournamentofroses.com.
About the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce
The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce is a business organization of almost 800 members representing over 20,000 employees. The Chamber, with its five councils, committees, staff and valuable members, works with city officials, local businesses and the community at large to promote the local economy.
About the Commodores Club
The Commodores Club is a council comprised of actively involved members of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce providing leadership, organization and fundraising support on business, social and community special events that promote the overall mission of the Chamber.
About Newport Beach & Company
Founded in January 2013, Newport Beach & Co. is a non-profit organization established to serve as the official marketing agency for the city of Newport Beach. The agency seeks to bring together all of the marketing entities connected to the Newport Beach brand, and is designed to oversee separate business units that include Visit Newport Beach, Dine Newport Beach, Celebrate Newport Beach, Enterprise Newport Beach and Newport Beach TV. Additionally, Newport Beach & Co. includes the Newport Beach Foundation focused on creative charitable endeavors that support the business community.
About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade®, the Rose Bowl Game® and a variety of associated events. The Tournament’s 935 volunteer members act as ambassadors of the organization within the community and serve on one of 31 committees that ensure the success of the parade and game. Collectively, they contribute upwards of 80,000 hours of manpower each year. The 126th Rose Parade presented by Honda and themed “Inspiring Stories,” will take place Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, followed by the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual.
