Port of San Diego to Welcome Surfin' Santa to Seaport Village

Thursday, 19 November 2009
Contact: Marguerite Elicone (619) 686-6222

On Saturday, November 28, the Port of San Diego, Seaport Village and SDG&E will join forces to ring in the holiday season.

It all begins at 1 p.m. with a blast of cannon fire announcing the arrival of a special guest. Santa Claus, minus his traditional fur-trimmed red suit, will debark a pirate ship and head for shore. Donned in swim trunks, he’ll arrive in Seaport Village to kick off an afternoon filled with holiday music and live entertainment.

SDG&E will be hosting a free holiday light exchange during the event. Attendees are encouraged to bring in old holiday lights in exchange for energy-efficient LED holiday lights. Up to three strands per guest may be exchanged. LED holiday lights save about 90 percent in energy costs and last longer than conventional lights.

The festivities will also include kids craft tables, strolling entertainers and music. Staff from the Birch Aquarium will be on hand to assist children in making holiday ornaments out of recycled materials. The ornaments will be used to decorate a holiday tree donated by the Port of San Diego. The tree is a locally grown Monterey Pine, which is native to the California coast.

“This event promotes the goals of the Port’s Green Port Program by demonstrating environmentally–responsible options available for holiday season activities,” said David Merk, Director of the Port’s Environmental Services Department. “Additionally, the event encourages the community to visit the waterfront and support waterfront businesses.”

LED lights will also be illuminating the holiday tree. At approximately 5:15 p.m., Board of Port Commissioners Vice Chair Robert “Dukie” Valderrama will be flipping the official switch to light it up. The tree will remain in Seaport Village throughout the holiday season. It will then be taken to the Miramar Landfill, where it will be turned into mulch that will be used by Port gardeners in landscaping around San Diego Bay. Mulch is a natural way to conserve moisture in soil, reducing the need for watering.

Seaport Village will continue the holiday cheer throughout the month of December.

Santa will be back on December 19 and 20 to have a special breakfast at the Harbor House Restaurant. Free, live musical entertainment will be provided throughout the month, and more the more than 50 shops will provide a wonderful shopping experience. For more information on the holiday festivities at Seaport Village, visit their web site or call (619) 235-4014.

---