Speak Up Newport’s 40th annual Mayor’s Dinner postponed in response to COVID-19 restrictions

The 40th annual Mayor’s Dinner is officially postponed.

Initially scheduled for Feb. 5, Speak Up Newport announced Wednesday that the event will have to be postponed due to restrictions resultant of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the Orange County Health Care Agency showed Wednesday that the total number of cases in Orange County have now reached 199,532.

In Newport Beach, there have been 2,834 cases and 36 deaths since the county agency began tracking cases regionally in March.

Speak Up Newport Beach president Ed Selich said the postponement is a “big disappointment” and that the organization had big plans to celebrate the event’s 40th anniversary this year. Organizers still aim to hold the dinner later this summer depending on what the restrictions and situation are at the time.

Mayor Brad Avery’s state of the city address will go on as planned through Zoom on Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. during what would be the organization’s normally scheduled program date.

Selich said that, on average, about 450 people attend the dinner. Ticket prices have not been set for this year but in the past have been anywhere between $75 to $80 per person.

Ticket sales and table sponsorships cover the costs of hosting the event, and last year, left enough to grant four $3,000 scholarships to seniors at Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar high schools.

“We could have done a virtual dinner as many organizations are doing but the SUN Board of Directors felt that the in-person camaraderie of those elected officials and citizens interested in civic affairs is important and could not be duplicated with a virtual Mayor’s Dinner,” Selich said in an e-mail Wednesday. “We hope to make up for it with a great event later this year.”

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.