A real flair for branding the boat parade

A Newport Beach woman wins naming contest for second year in a row; this time, she’d like to give her prize to hurricane victims.For the second consecutive year, Newport Beach resident Helen McCarthy has a vested interest in the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade.

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual holiday event, chose McCarthy’s parade theme as the contest winner, just as it did last year.

McCarthy coined the phrase “Centennial Celebration of Lights,” she said, to be forward-thinking.

“It’s essentially lighting the year-long centennial,” McCarthy said of the parade. “There’s so much history and background to the harbor, it all ties together.”

Chamber of Commerce President Richard Luehrs said McCarthy’s idea was chosen from among an application pool of about 100.

“Her idea drew in the city’s role and gave special attention to the anniversary,” Luehrs said. “We’d promised that we would use some of our events to promote the centennial.”

Last year, McCarthy’s “Winter Waterland” theme was selected. As the winner, she receives a ride in the parade’s lead boat, a one-night stay at the Balboa Bay Club and an invitation to the boat parade award dinner in January.

The 97th running of the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade is Dec. 14 to 18. The event features decorated yachts, kayaks and canoes as they parade through Newport Harbor. Attendees can watch on a charter boat or from land.

“I didn’t anticipate winning the second year in a row. I’m going to start my own nomenclature company,” McCarthy joked.

McCarthy does have experience with naming and designing. She owns an entertainment and theme-park design company and has helped Disney design rides.

She also has worked with the city of Newport Beach on the centennial.

This year McCarthy proposed to the Chamber of Commerce that displaced children from Hurricane Katrina ride in her spot on the lead boat.

“I felt a little guilty about winning again,” McCarthy said. “Since I had the enjoyment last year -- it’s the best spot to see the parade -- I figured it would be nice to let other people enjoy the ride.”

Luehrs said the idea is still in the discussion stage and that chamber members haven’t had luck finding young evacuees who are in school in Orange County.

“It’s nice of her to offer,” Luehrs said. “She’s been here before and is actively engaged in the community.”

McCarthy said she has been coming to the event for about 20 years. Her husband, Gary McEachen, has family members who have lived in Newport Beach for decades and have taken him to the parade.

McCarthy said her family usually watches the festivities from the Balboa Island bridge.

“It’s one of those community festivals that brings everyone together,” McCarthy said. “It’s one of the most seasonal festival gatherings you can experience anywhere.”20051205i8xz4ukfDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)One of the more festive entries in last year’s Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade shows its stuff. This year’s event runs from Dec. 14 to 18.