Boat Parade Details

        2009 Parade Theme  is “Underwater Wonderland”

        Santa’s Village
3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Bring the whole family to Santa’s Village on the City Pier in the Harbor between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Mr. & Mrs. Claus and friends will be there. So, bring along your cameras. Remember to dress warm. We’re bringing in 12 tons of snow, barbershop carolers and much more.  Get in the spirit! Me.Me.Me. There will be a Holiday “sing-a-along” at 4 p.m. by “Centerpiece.”  Holiday song sheets will be provided, just bring along your voice.

        Stearns Wharf Tree Lighting Ceremony
5:30 p.m. A new tradition continues with a 30-foot tree lighting ceremony that will help brighten up the season. Join us at 5:30 p.m. on the shoreward finger of Stearns Wharf, near the Ty Warner Sea Center to witness a magnificent sight. The tree ceremony is sponsored by the Stearns Wharf Business Merchants Association.

        Boat Parade
5:30 to 7:15 p.m. About 35-50 boats are expected to parade the Santa Barbara coastline between East Beach and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club to compete in five judging categories for prizes, trophies and bragging rights. This year’s VIP judges include Councilmember Iya Falcone, Harbor Commissioner Bill Spicer, SB Yacht Club Commodore Homer Smith, and Author & Columnist Starshine Roshell. On Stearns Wharf, VIP judges will tally their sheets and rate the boats based on 1) best theme use, 2) effective use of lights and 3) impact. For your best viewing pleasure, arrive early for a spot on the Santa Barbara Breakwater, at Stearns Wharf, or along Cabrillo Boulevard.

        Fireworks Following Parade
A short fireworks display will immediately follow the boat parade. Pet owners are encouraged to leave their pets at home.

Get Involved

        Parade Entry Forms, Judging, Boating Categories and Prizes
Register early by clicking on the online entry form below.

Form: PARADE ENTRY FORM

Instructions:
Print entry form and return to Harbormaster’s Office
132-A Harbor Way, Santa Barbara CA 93109
(805) 564-5530.

        Judging: Five (5) VIP judges will tally their sheets and rate the boats based on 1) best theme use, 2) effective use of lights and 3) impact.

        Boating Categories: Each boat will be judged in one of the following categories: 1) Human Powered, 2) Power, 3) Sail,
4) Commercial Fishing, and 5) Commercial Other

        Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be presented in the five categories; a “Grand Prize” will be presented for all-around winner; and a “Bilge Pump” award will be presented for last place.  Among the prizes will be Cash Prizes totaling $2000, Trophies and a few “Get-away” trips. Prizes will be presented at the 2009 Awards Ceremony 7:30 p.m.

Public Notices

        Mandatory Skipper’s Meeting
All participating boaters in the parade must attend the Mandatory Skipper’s meeting on the day of event.

Location:
Marine Center Classroom
125 Harbor Way, Santa Barbara CA 93109,
(805) 564-5530.

        Waterfront Parking
Stearns Wharf will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 3 p.m. until end of the fireworks display. During the boat parade, Wharf businesses will remain open to the public. Waterfront Parking Services (805) 564-5523

        Request Access Assistance
If you need special aids, services, or staff assistance in order to gain access to, comment at, or participate in a City meeting, program, service, or activity, please contact the ADA liaison for the department.  (805) 564-5530. 

If possible, notification at least 48 hours in advance of the need for assistance will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements in most cases.

        2009 Parade of Lights Sponsors
Parade of Lights is sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara, Stearns Wharf Business Association, Santa Barbara Harbor Merchants Association, and the Santa Barbara Yacht Club.
.