Public Invited to 40th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights

Friday, 09 December 2011
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

A San Diego Bay holiday tradition is back beginning this weekend.

The 40th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, featuring more than 80 vessels adorned with festive holiday light displays and decorations, kicks off Sunday, December 11, at 5:30 p.m.

There will be a second opportunity to view the parade on Sunday, December 18, also at 5:30 p.m.

This year's theme is "Our 40th Anniversary, Back to the Future." The event is sponsored by the Port of San Diego and is organized by the San Diego Port Tenants Association, boating enthusiasts and volunteers.

The waterfront event is free, festive and fun for the entire family.

The parade kicks off at approximately 5:30 p.m. and takes about 90 minutes to pass any given point along the route.

Public viewing areas will be open at the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, located at 1000 N. Harbor Drive. Bleachers accommodating approximately 250 people will be available on the pier. The public can also bring chairs.

The general public will also be allowed to view the parade from B Street Pier, located at 1140 N. Harbor Drive.

Both areas open to the public at 7 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. Please refrain from bringing glass bottles, containers, or beverage glasses. There is no smoking and no open flames.

The approximate arrival times of the parade at various locations are:

• Shelter Island (start of parade): 5:30 p.m.
• Harbor Island: 6:00 p.m.
• The Embarcadero: 6:30 p.m.
• Seaport Village: 7:00 p.m.
• Ferry Landing on Coronado: 7:30 p.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard will enforce a boater safety zone during both parades.

The safety zone will encompass all navigable waters within 150 yards of the parade route and participating vessels and will be in effect from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. both days.

People and vessels, including personal watercraft and small paddle craft, are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within the safety zone unless authorized by the Coast Guard patrol commander who will be reachable on marine-band radio channel 21A or 23A.

For additional safety, boater traffic from marinas near the parade route will be subject to restrictions on the days the Parade of Lights is held.

"In order to see the parade from the water, spectator boats should leave their respective marina in time to be clear of the marina entry and exit points by 5 p.m.," said Cmdr. Mike LeonGuerrerro of Coast Guard Sector San Diego.

Attendees to the event are encouraged to utilize the San Diego Trolley. Trolley stations with free parking and service to the North Embarcadero area are located in Fashion Valley and Old Town. For more information on the San Diego Trolley routes, go to www.sdmts.com.

Free and paid parking lots are also available throughout the Harbor, but are limited.

For more information, visit the San Diego Parade of Lights Web site or call (619) 224-2240

The Port of San Diego was created by state legislature in 1962 and is responsible for $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Imperial Beach Coronado, Chula Vista, National City and San Diego.

The Port District oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.