The Newport Beach City Council could help float the Christmas Boat Parade with $200,000 over the next four years, according to an item on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.
The five-night parade brings more than a million visitors to Newport Beach each year, and the City has assisted the parade historically with funds, traffic control and more, City Manager Dave Kiff said in an email blast.
The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce sponsors the parade, and the chamber asked Newport Beach to contribute $50,000 in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, Kiff said.
“Doing so is not atypical,” according to the staff report. “The City has entered into agreements of more than a year for events like the Newport to Ensenada Race, for example.”
This year, the City allotted $50,000 for the parade. Last year, the City contributed $35,000 and the year before, the parade received $30,000 in funds.
The longer-term commitment would give stability to the event, which is considered one of the best holiday events in the country and one of the biggest events in Newport Beach each year. The parade, now in its 105th year, will run from Dec. 18 through Dec. 22; click here for more information on the event’s website.
If the Council approves the funding, the Boat Parade would not need to submit special events applications in the spring. The applications were reviewed, and recommendations were discussed at a May City Council Study Session. Grant money was included in the city’s 2014 budget. The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce was awarded $6,000 for the Christmas Walk and $17,000 for the Corona del Mar Scenic 5K.
The City Council meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Civic Center at 100 Civic Center Drive. The public may attend and make comments.