Big Bay July 4 Fireworks Show Promises a Big Boom (Updated)

Thursday, 04 June 2009
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6281

Get out the red, white and blue regalia and start planning your picnic, because July 4^th is just around the corner. The Port of San Diego will be celebrating Independence Day with a party like no other - the Big Bay Boom 2009.

This will be the ninth year that the Port sponsors the annual fireworks extravaganza on San Diego Bay and this year's show will be as enthralling as always.

It all starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Four barges, strategically placed around the north bay area of San Diego Bay, will discharge fireworks simultaneously to live broadcasted music on 105.7 The Walrus FM radio. The show will also be televised live on San Diego FOX 5 HD (high definition) and Cox 4 HD, covered with four remote cameras and a helicopter. The impeccably choreographed display will last approximately 16 1/2 minutes.

• Big Bay Boom 2009 Parking/Shuttle Information (216.65 kB)

The best places to view the fireworks are on Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the north embarcadero area, Seaport Village and the Coronado Ferry Landing. ( Big Bay Boom Barge Map (480.7 kB))

More than 750,000 people are expected to come to the waterfront to watch the show and the Port of San Diego strongly encourages carpooling or taking the San Diego Trolley. Nearby trolley stops are located near the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego and close to Seaport Village. In addition, the Port will be working with Old Town Trolley to provide free shuttle service for Shelter Island and Harbor Island viewing.

Shuttles will begin departing from two designated areas at 5:30 p.m. and will be taking people back to their cars right after the fireworks show. One shuttle pickup area is located on the corner of Carleton Street and Rosecrans Street in Point Loma, adjacent to West Marine. Only street parking is available at this location. The shuttle will drop passengers off in front of the gazebo on Shelter Island. The pick up location after the show will also be at the gazebo.

The second shuttle pickup area will be at the Port of San Diego Administration building, 3165 Pacific Highway, and at the Port's employee lot directly across the street on the southwest corner of Pacific Highway and Sassafras Street. Parking is free at this location. Passengers will be dropped off at Harbor Island Park. The pick up location for after the show is across Harbor Island Drive, next to the San Diego Harbor Police Headquarters.

The Harbor Police and City of San Diego Police department will assist with traffic coordination during the event.

The Port of San Diego's Big Bay Fireworks show was established in 2001 to benefit the San Diego Armed Services YMCA and various programs for San Diego area military families. Along with the Port, sponsors include the City of San Diego, the County of San Diego, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hilton San Diego Bayside Hotel, San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, the Midway Museum, and several other Port tenants and businesses.

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