L.A. Harbor Holiday Afloat Boat Parade Set for Dec. 3

Byline: Nu Yang

SAN PEDRO — Los Angeles Harbor area boaters will celebrate the season at the 49th annual Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat boat parade, starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Port of Los Angeles main channel. The parade theme is “Home for the Holidays.”

Local officials and community leaders will take part in the parade as judges or passengers on about 50 parade boats, decorated in a patriotic holiday theme. This year’s grand marshals are business owners Mike and Shirley Walker, who operate the nonprofit San Pedro Packages for Patriots.

The boat parade starts in the East Basin near Banning’s Landing Community Center in Wilmington and takes about 90 minutes to cover the entire route. Boat parade-goers are invited to enjoy some festive pre-parade events beginning at 3 p.m. at the community center.

Shoreside spectators can view the procession from several points, including Banning’s Landing Community Center, 100 E. Water St., Wilmington; Los Angeles Maritime Museum, 600 Sampson Way, San Pedro; Ports O’ Call Village, 1100 Nagoya Way, San Pedro; Cruise Ship Promenade at Harbor Boulevard and Swinford Street in San Pedro; 22nd Street Landing, 141 W. 22nd St., San Pedro; and Cabrillo Marina, 200 Whaler’s Walk, San Pedro.

The boat entry fee for the parade is $30 and includes one admission to an awards brunch Dec. 4. Trophies will be awarded in the following categories: Theme, Traditional, Humorous, Holiday Spirit, Best Animation, Commercial, Most Patriotic, Most Original, Children’s Choice, Judges’ Choice and Grand Marshals’ Award. Yacht clubs will compete for the Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the club with the most entries.

The deadline for boat entries is Dec. 2. For registration forms and information, visit portoflosangeles.org.