🌊 Happy Independence Bay

Hello Back Baytriots, Happy Friday 4th of July 🇺🇸 !

We are swan diving off the slippery edge of the shallow end of the kiddy pool into July. Who are we? How did we get here? Maybe it was the frenemies we made along the way.

This July 4th, we want to thank you, dear reader. We stay away from politics, and we know there is a lot going on right now, but the Back Bay Buzz exists to connect neighbors to their community, and remind everyone of the great place we get to call home.

To the ~200ish readers that joined us since last send, welcome! The Back Bay Buzz is dedicated to bringing you just the right amount of news and events for locals of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, politics, spam or boring stuff. We comb through newspapers, blogs, social media google alerts and business journals for the best and latest so you don’t have to.

In today’s Buzz:

• July 4th activities

• July Forth: Plan Ahead

• OC Fair begins

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

4th of July in Newport Beach: What to Know Before You Go

Newport Beach is gearing up for a full day of patriotic celebration on July 4th—complete with parades, fireworks, and increased safety measures. Here's what residents and visitors should know:

🎉 Events Schedule:

• Newport Peninsula Bike Parade & Festival: Starts 9 a.m. at 36th Street Park, ending at Channel Place Park with games, food, and crafts.

• Mariners Bike Parade: Begins at 10:30 a.m. on Mariners Drive.

• Old Glory Boat Parade: Newport Harbor, 1 p.m., hosted by the American Legion Yacht Club.

• Condor Squadron Flyover: WWII-era planes will pass over Newport Beach in the late afternoon.

• Fireworks Show: 9 p.m. at Newport Dunes (free walk-in entry, parking is $50–$100).

🚨 Safety Zones & Rules:

• Safety Enhancement Zones: In effect from 12:01 a.m. July 4 to 3 a.m. July 5 in West Newport and Corona del Mar. Fines are tripled (up to $3,000) for violations like public drinking or loud gatherings.

• Street Closures: Select roads around the Peninsula and Via Lido will be closed throughout the day.

• Illegal Activities: No fireworks (including sparklers), rooftop gatherings, public alcohol consumption, or water balloon fights. Note: Safe and Sane Fireworks are legal in Costa Mesa on July 4th only, between the hours of 4pm-10pm.

🏖️ Beaches & Parking:

• Beaches are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with fire rings available near the Balboa Pier and Corona del Mar State Beach.

• Expect limited parking. Illegally parked vehicles will be towed.

• Swim near lifeguard towers and avoid swimming alone or while intoxicated.

📲 Stay Informed:

• Text NBJULY4 to 65513 for live updates on traffic and closures.

• Visit nbpd.org/notified to sign up for alerts year-round.

—WHAT TO DO—

• Bike Parade & Community Fest - Newport Peninsula
  Friday July 4th
  Info

• Red, White and Brew - Helmsman Alehouse
  Come for the Star Spangled Shooter, stay for the Pop Rocks shot
  July 4th, All Day
  Info

• Old Glory Boat Parade - American Legion Yacht Club
  Friday July 4th 1pm
  Info

• Tunes at the Dunes - Newport Dunes
  Live Music, Food Trucks, Fireworks (July 4th) - Fri July 3rd - Sun July 6th
  Info

• Summertime Market @ Lido Deck - Lido Village
  Shop Small, local entertainment, free popsicles for first 100, themed flower bar
  Sat July 5th 10am-4pm
  Info

• Farmers Market @ Newport Beach Pier
  Sundays 9-1pm
  Info

UPCOMING:

• Try-It Tuesdays - Hi-Time Wine Cellars
  Gather round the wine bar to sip and savor a 6 bottle line-up ($20/person)
  Tuesdays 5-7pm, starting July 8th
  Info

• Love Island Watch Party - Helmsman Alehouse
  Hosted by Newps Social (“the first social club for females in their 20s”)
  Thur July 10th 6-8pm
  Info

• Sunset Sessions: Avalon - Milligram Costa Mesa
  Live Music, coffee, cocktails
  Fri July 11th 5:30-7:30pm
  Info

• Western Movie Night - The Swanner House (SJC)
  Not exactly local but sounds fun for a day trip:
  Line Dancing, Movie, Hat Bar, Tattoo lounge
  Friday July 11th 6pm
  Info

• Sake & Tapas - Hi-Time Wine Cellars
  “Join us for an evening of curated Sake and Tapas pairings by world-famous artisanal sake producer, Tedorigawa.
  Wednesday July 16th Seatings 5pm and 7pm
  Info

• ModRef Sample Sale - The Lab
  Vintage, baked goods, accessories
  Sat-Sun July 19th-20th
  Info
  

• OC Fair Begins - OC Fairgrounds
  July 18th-Aug 17th
  Info

• Meals on Wheels Pickleball Bash Tournament - The Tennis & Pickleball Club
  Proceeds will support Meals on Wheels Orange County’s nutrition, socialization, and wrap-around services - Sat July 19th 1-4pm
  Info

• Native Newport Classic Annual Volleyball Tourny - Newport Beach (tower TBD)
  Sat July 26th
  Info

• Sterling Silver Ring Making Workshop - Methra (Costa Mesa)
  Sat July 26th - Info

• Calling All Artists 🎨 : Apply to Costa Mesa’s annual juried art exhibition - Deadline: July 28th - Info

• Fun Run 5k 🏃 - OC Fairgrounds - Aug 10th 8am - Register

Friday
63🌡️ 74 I 🌤️ I 9% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 10mph

Saturday
64🌡️ 75 I 🌤️ I 8 Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SSW 10mph

Sunday
63🌡️ 73 I 🌤️ I 7% Rain I 🌬️ ↗️ SW 10mph

🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Shorty

THIS WEEKEND:

• Bike Parade and Fourth of July Celebration in Newport Beach
  Friday, 04 July

  9:00 am - 11:30 am
  Info

• Tunes at the Dunes: Independance Day at the Back Bay - Newport Dunes
  Food Trucks, Full Bar, Live Music, Firework show
  Fri July 4th 8am-10pm
  Info

• Summertime Market @ Lido Deck - Lido Village
  Shop Small, local entertainment, free popsicles for first 100, themed flower bar
  Sat July 5th 10am-4pm
  Info

• Farmers Market @ Newport Beach Pier
  Sundays 9-1pm
  Info

PLAN AHEAD:

• Umma at the Park (Free fitness class) - Cliff Drive Park
  Movement, mom chats, complimentary coffee from The Bar Sista
  Wed July 9th 10am
  Info

• Comedy Juggling Show at Balboa Library in Newport Beach
  Wednesday, 09 July

  3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  Info

• Kids Paddle Camp - Pirate Coast Paddle Board Rentals
  Campers will learn the basics of stand up paddle boarding, learn new skills and participate in water activities.
  July 14-18th
  Sign Up

• Barnes and Noble Storytime at Fashion Island
  Saturday, 19 July

  11:30 am - 12:00 pm
  Info

THIS WEEKEND:

🎶 Costa Mesa – July 4 – 6, 2025

• Sega Genecide – The Wayfarer – Friday, July 4, 8:00 PM

• Wight Litening Band – The Harp Inn – Saturday, July 5, 9:00 PM – 12:30 AM

• Your Moms Best Friend – Tiki Bar – Saturday, July 5, 7:00 PM

• Granola Daddy – Tiki Bar – Sunday, July 6, 5:00 PM

• Buck Shot – The Harp Inn – Sunday, July 6, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Sunday Night Karaoke with Bobby Vegas – The Wayfarer – Sunday, July 6, evening

🎶 Newport Beach – July 4 – 6, 2025

• Smooth Sounds of Santana (Santana Tribute) – Campus JAX – Saturday, July 5, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM

• Lauren Black – Lido Marina Village (Lido Deck) – Saturday, July 5, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

• Barndance Boogie w/ the Crackers & Crows – Campus JAX – Sunday, July 6, 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM

🎵 ⏩️ PLAN AHEAD:

• Jimmys Buffet - The Hangar (OC FAIR) - July 20th 7:15 - Tickets

• Fitz and The Tantrums + Aloe Blacc - Pacific Ampitheater - July 25th - 6:30pm - Tickets

• Ellis Bullard - Wayfarer Fri 7/18 7pm - Info

• BECK - Pacific Ampitheatre - Wed 7/30 7:30pm - Tickets

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor did not realize Safe and Sane fireworks were illegal in Newport (please ignore his requests for bail money).

PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!