American Legion Yacht Club Presents: The Annual July 4th Old Glory Boat Parade, which will once again set sail around Newport Harbor for their annual Old Glory Boat Parade on Friday, July 4 at 1:00 PM.

The theme this year is “Freedom, Family, and Fun!” and entrants are encouraged to decorate their boats to celebrate this theme. Leading the parade will be the ALYC club boat Valor with our Grand Marshal, Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton, followed by VIP boats that will be filled with active duty servicemembers and veterans.

We are pleased to recognize Joe Stapleton for his service to the community of Newport Beach. The parade will begin at 1:00pm off the east end of Lido Island and follow a course throughout the harbor between the hours of 1:00pm and 3:30pm, offering everyone a chance to enjoy the parade.

All boaters are invited to decorate their vessels and participate in the parade. Registration is free and available online through the American Legion Yacht Club website (www.alyc.com) where a map of the parade route, approximate viewing times, and more information is also available.

Participants will compete for class awards such as Best Decorated, Finest Costumes, Most Creative, and the Commodore's Award, with class winners to be announced at an Awards Banquet on Sunday, July 20th at 6 pm.

Celebrating almost 70 years, the Old Glory Parade began very casually in the 1950's as the Character Boat Parade and as the years passed, the Newport Harbor Chamber of Commerce took the helm, changed the theme, and built her into a grand parade. Today, hailed as one of California's largest longest-running patriotic boat parades, this annual happening is sponsored by the American Legion Yacht Club and is free to watch from most public beaches, docks, and boardwalks throughout the scenic harbor area.

Please visit www.alyc.com for more information.

American Legion Yacht Club, 215 15th Street• Newport Beach, California 92663