Arts & Entertainment

Newport Beach Boat Parade Starts off With a Bang

It's the holidays nautical style with the 106th annual Newport Beach Boat Parade.

The 106th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade began with fireworks Wednesday, and thousands gathered to see the decked hulls of the parade named one of New York Times “Top Ten Christmas Happenings in the Nation.”

Opening night featured comedic actress Leslie Mann and singer/actor Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray as the first ever co-Grand Marshals for the parade.

The parade will continue through Sunday each night from 6:30 to 9 p.m. A firework show will mark the closing night of the parade near the Balboa Pier by Main Street and Balboa Boulevard.

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The Newport Beach Police Department will monitor traffic during the parade times and will implement the following road closures only if necessary:

· Westbound East Coast Highway left turn lanes to southbound Jamboree Road.

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· Eastbound East Coast Highway right turn lane to southbound Jamboree Road.

Click here for the Newport Beach Boat Parade Route.

Photo Credit: Twitter screengrabs

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