Newport Dunes unveils Fire & Ice Festival featuring Waterfront Ice Rink
and Lighting of the Bay on November 24
November 3, 2023
Source: Stu News Newport https://stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/15902-newport-dunes-unveils-fire-ice-festival-110323
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort has announced their Inaugural Fire & Ice Festival, featuring one of Orange County’s largest waterfront ice rinks, spanning 4,000 square feet. The festival kicks off a season of holiday fun at Newport Dunes with an opening night celebration on November 24, alongside the 33rd Annual Lighting of the Bay, and runs daily through January 1, 2024.
“This year, we celebrate the return of our beloved Lighting of the Bay with a magical holiday experience like never before,” said Phil Ravenna, general manager of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. “We are excited to bring a waterfront ice rink to Newport Beach. Skaters can enjoy the lights of the bay as well as our Fire & Ice Festival. We welcome the community to usher in the holidays with loved ones and create new holiday memories in our idyllic bayfront setting in the heart of Newport Beach.”
During the Fire & Ice Festival’s opening night celebration on Friday, Nov. 24, enjoy live musical performances, fire dancers, stocking and ornament decorating, a holiday photo booth and more. Santa will take center stage at 4 p.m. during the 33rd Annual Lighting of the Bay ceremony as he flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than 50 floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees, marking the official start to the holiday season. Sip hot cocoa and cider while watching an outdoor screening of a holiday movie to wrap up the evening. The ice rink opens at 12 p.m. Festive food and beverages will be available for purchase, with food trucks and a full bar opening at 2 p.m. The Lighting of the Bay continues each evening at dusk through New Year’s Day.
The Fire & Ice Festival, continuing daily through January 1, promises to be an extraordinary addition to the Lighting of the Bay tradition. Enjoy dazzling fire dancers on Friday and Saturday evenings. Cozy up in the Igloo Cocktail Bar, serving both hot toddies and cool drinks, while taking in the festive atmosphere Wednesday through Sunday. Along the shore, fire pits will be ablaze, offering a magical setting for roasting s’mores with convenient kits available. Explore the Holiday Inflatable Garden, perfect for capturing the festive moment with loved ones, and enjoy outdoor screenings of holiday movies on the beach.
The waterfront ice rink, one of the largest in Orange County at an impressive 82 ft. x 50 ft., will be open daily from November 24 through January 1, offering a picturesque outdoor skating experience. Skaters will enjoy stunning water and marina views, and during the evening as the bay is illuminated, the rink transforms into a winter wonderland with a backdrop of twinkling lights. Don’t miss themed skate nights on the ice rink, adding even more excitement to this holiday celebration. The ice rink is suitable for ages three and above, and skating aids will be available for $10 to ensure a seamless experience for all skill levels. Skating prices are $25 during peak hours and $20 during off-peak hours, per person, for a delightful 90-minute session which includes a skate rental. Advance booking online is now available at www.newportdunes.com.
Stop by the Newport Dunes Tree Lot, open daily November 24 through December 21 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., to pick fresh hand-picked pines from Salem, Ore., while taking in the festive holiday scene.
Sip on seasonal beverages and watch the glowing lights in the Newport Dunes lagoon. On Saturday and Sundays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., cocktails and food will be available from Moe B’s Munchies beachfront grill for family picnics.
RV campers return year after year to soak up the enchanting floating lights on the bay just steps from their RV campsite. Bring an RV or stay in Newport Dunes’ charming, single-family Beach Cottages for a cozy, home-away-from-home experience. For those who do not own an RV, Newport Dunes works with RV rental companies that will deliver a luxury RV to your campsite, all set up and ready to enjoy. For holiday parties and private events, the Back Bay Bistro at Newport Dunes offers the perfect waterfront backdrop for a festive event, just steps from the Lighting of the Bay display. For more information on the Back Bay Bistro and to book a private event, click here, or call 949.729.3800.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is located at 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. The Lighting of the Bay is free for the public to enjoy; skating and s’mores kits are additional. On-site parking is available at the following rates: 0 to 30 minutes: Free; 30 minutes to 2 hours: $10; 2 to 5 hours: $15; 5 to 8 hours: $20 and 8 to 24 hours: $25.
Source: Stu News Newport https://stunewsnewport.com/index.php/2-uncategorised/15902-newport-dunes-unveils-fire-ice-festival-110323
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Visitors to Newport Beach today might know the coastal Southern California city from “The Real Housewives,” “The O.C.” and “Arrested Development,” all of which were set amid its rolling green hills and picture-perfect beaches. But I had come to Newport Beach to commune with the stars of Old Hollywood, who began staking their claim to this idyllic spot just one hour south of Los Angeles during the silent film era.
In the Golden Age of Hollywood, Newport Beach’s lure was not so much its land, dotted as it was with big-band ballrooms and smoke-filled cocktail bars. It was its water, and specifically the sprawling recreational harbor where the stars docked their yachts and sailboats.
Continue reading at The New York Times…
Photo Credit: Beth Coller/The New York Times
After taking over management of the moorings from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol last summer, Harbormaster Dennis Durgan provided a “Year in Review” summary for the Newport Beach Harbor Commission on Wednesday.
Commissioners asked a few questions and expressed support for the work the Harbormaster team has done over the past 15 months.
“I think your numbers speak for themselves,” Commissioner John Drayton said. “You’ve really done a fantastic job.”
Among many other reported statistics, between July 1, 2017, and June 30, the Harbormaster team has recorded 2,144 general assists, 962 wake or speed advisements, 662 mooring checks, 253 pier/dock/bridge issues (includes jumping, fishing, time limits, and gangway issues), and 19 emergency calls to either OCSD Harbor Patrol or NB police.
The city of Newport Beach, steadily considered a premier boating destination, has made strides, in the last year, to improve services, amenities and educational information available to recreational boaters, residents and tourists. A model was also introduced for a freshly conceived Harbor Department, which also happens to be “new to the world,” according to several city officials.
“A lot has happened/is happening with harbor operations over the past year,” Tara Finnigan, Deputy City Manager, said in an email to The Log. “A lot of thought and effort went into the department structure that the city council approved on June 12.”
In addition to approving the department structure, council members approved the new budget of $1.1 million – up around $200,000 from last year’s budget – to be included in the 2018-19 fiscal year at the June 26 meeting.
Photo Credit: Devon Warren/The Log
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