Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade Presented by National Funding
Set for Dec. 28 on Harbor Drive
SAN DIEGO (December 21, 2017) – America’s Largest Balloon Parade – the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by National Funding – will take place Thursday, Dec. 28 on Harbor Drive along the North Embarcadero area of downtown San Diego.
The parade will start at 10 a.m. at the County Administration building, just south of Grape Street, on North Harbor Drive. It will proceed south on Harbor Drive and will end where North Harbor Drive curves around to meet Pacific Highway. More than 100,000 street-side spectators are expected for this year’s event, along with a national television audience.
This year’s parade theme is “Celebrating 40 Years”. The event will showcase 31 gigantic balloons, 25 specialty units, 12 marching bands and 4 floats. The Grand Marshal is former San Diego Padres’ pitcher and 1976 Cy Young award winner Randy Jones. Parade viewing along the street is free and reserved grandstand seats are available for $22 (or $25 day of event, if available).
Harbor Drive from Grape Street to Pacific Highway will be closed on Dec. 28 from 7:45 a.m. until the parade concludes, which will be approximately 11:45 a.m. Area businesses and residents will be granted limited access until 9 a.m.
Parking will be very limited on parade day and the Port of San Diego strongly encourages the use of public transportation. The San Diego Trolley has convenient stations with service to the Harbor Drive and Embarcadero areas with free and paid parking lots. These are located at the Fashion Valley, Old Town and One America Plaza stations. For schedules and routes, please visit www.sdmts.com.
Fox Sports San Diego will telecast the parade live locally. It will be distributed nationally via the Fox Sports College Network.
Before the parade’s start, the annual Solar Turbines 5K will begin at 9:45 a.m. on North Harbor Drive near West Ash Street. Approximately 1,000 participants will proceed south on North Harbor Drive, past the convention center and circle back to Ruocco Park near the G Street Mole along the Embarcadero.
The parade is part of the festivities surrounding the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl. This year’s 40th annual game will be played at SDCCU Stadium on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. and will be televised nationally on FS1. Each year the SDCCU Holiday Bowl matches up top teams from the Pac-12 and Big Ten conferences. This year the 18th ranked Washington State Cougars will take on the 16th ranked Michigan State Spartans.
The SDCCU Holiday Bowl is a nonprofit organization and has a mission of generating tourism, exposure, economic benefit and civic pride for San Diego and its citizens by producing the nation’s most exciting bowl game and festival of events.
The Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade is sponsored by the Port of San Diego’s Tidelands Activation Program, designed to bring our dynamic waterfront alive with events that engage the community and inspire visitors to enjoy San Diego Bay.
For further information, please contact Rick Schloss at (619) 708-6007 or via email at rschloss@holidaybowl.com
About the Port of San Diego’s Tidelands Activation Program:
Port of San Diego Experiences includes the Tidelands Activation Program (TAP). TAP awards grant funds and waives service fees to community organizations for public events along the waterfront that connect visitors and residents to new cultures and vibrant activities. Artistic and cultural exhibitions, along with exclusive interactive installations inspire visitors and residents to push the boundaries of creativity. Additionally, Port Experiences sponsors and hosts events across San Diego Bay, including organized runs, parades, cultural festivals, concerts and more.
About the Port of San Diego:
The Port of San Diego serves the people of California as a specially created district, balancing multiple uses on 34 miles along San Diego Bay spanning five cities. Collecting no tax dollars, the Port manages a diverse portfolio to generate revenues that support vital public service and amenities. The Port champions Maritime, Waterfront Development, Public Safety, Experiences and Environment, call focused on enriching the relationship people and businesses have with our dynamic waterfront. From cargo and cruise terminals to hotels and restaurants, from marinas to museums, from 22 public parks to countless events, the Port contributes to the region’s prosperity and remarkable way of life on a daily basis. To learn more about the Port’s Tidelands Activation Program, an annual grant program through which the Port supports community events of all sizes, click here.
