Celebrate Chula Vista Centennial Harbor Days Extravaganza

Wednesday, 21 September 2011

Chula Vista will continue the celebration of its 100th anniversary with the Chula Vista Harbor Days Extravaganza, a two-day festival featuring historic ships, art, classic car shows, visits to the Chula Vista Nature Center and more.

The community is invited to the free public event that will showcase the Chula Vista waterfront. Chula Vista Harbor Days takes place on Saturday, September 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, September 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The majority of the weekend's activities will take place at Bayfront Park, 980 Marina Parkway (map), and along Marina Parkway (pdf map), between G Street and J Street.

"Color, magic and fantasy will paint the South Bay with a celebration that invites Chula Vista families to spend a weekend immersed in art, culture and unique entertainment that brings the bay to life," said Susan Johnson, Chula Vista Harbor Days event chair.

The Port of San Diego is partnering with the City of Chula Vista and Chula Vista Harbor Days in an effort to "activate" the waterfront by sponsoring programs that attract the public. Through its Marketing and Fee For Service Program, the port is sponsoring the event in the amount of $5,000, as well as providing services, such as waived park fees and logistical support.

Chula Vista is one of the Port of San Diego's five member cities.

The Centennial Celebration is part of the yearlong effort to commemorate Chula Vista's history. The Chula Vista Harbor Days Extravaganza is expected to attract as many as 20,000 people each day to the waterfront.

"Because the port has embraced the event and put us on port land, we can expand and become a truly spectacular event," said Johnson.

Through the port's waterfront activation budget, the Port of San Diego is sponsoring the rental of free bicycles for people to explore Chula Vista and the newest section of the Bayshore Bikeway.

Free transportation will be provided by the Old Town Trolley to each area of Chula Vista Harbor Days Extravaganza. Download the attached map to view all available parking locations for the event (PDF map).

Event Schedule

Visitors can pick up event passports and information about the event areas at the Chula Vista Information Center, 750 E Street. The following list describes the sites and activities for the event:

The Chula Vista Excursion Dock, 600 Marina Parkway

The Maritime Museum of San Diego is bringing the 1850s replica tall ship, the "Californian," and a 1904 steam yacht, the "Medea," to the South Bay for free tours. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about early seafaring days from displays of the San Salvador project and other maritime displays. Chefs de Cuisine will be dishing up culinary fare.

Chula Vista Bayside Park, 333 Marina Parkway

A classic car show will highlight the history of the automobile and transportation, from the first Model-T to new electric vehicles. There will be a Kidzone at the park, featuring performances by the Von Jon Circus, the Heart Light Dance & Fitness, the OnStage Playhouse and more.

Chula Vista Bayfront Park, 980 Marina Parkway

Festival attendees can see the sights of the South Bay on an amphibious tour bus, the San Diego Seal tour. Environmental and ecological exhibits will be set up to show the importance of Chula Vista's unique ecosystem. An exhibit with the history of the Cabrillo National Monument will also be on display.

Chula Vista Nature Center and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Headquarters

Busses will transport visitors to the Chula Vista Nature Center to learn about the habitat of numerous endangered species, including the clapper rail and California Least Tern. The busses will pick up and drop off visitors in the Chula Vista Nature Center's parking lot, at 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive.

The California Yacht Marina & Chula Vista Yacht Club

A free art show, featuring local artists, will be hosted at the Chula Vista Yacht Club, at 642 Marina Parkway. The first annual Susan G. Komen San Diego "Sail for the Cure" Regatta will take place on Saturday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., to raise money for breast cancer research. On Sunday, there will be a Robotics Challenge between high school robotics teams in Chula Vista and other robotics teams in San Diego County.

The Chula Vista Marina, 550 Marina Parkway

All along Marina Parkway, an artisan's fair of jewelers, glass works, photography, paintings, wood pieces, and an interactive art mural project will feature many local adult and youth artists.

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, San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista and National City.

The Port 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.