Likely date: Dec.11,
2010
Redondo Beach Christmas Boat
Parade in King Harbor is an annual tradition filled with holiday cheer,
sparkling lights and star power. Celebrity Grand Marshall Rick Hearst of
General Hospital will wave hello to you.
Redondo Beach, Calif. - Nothing
says
California
Christmas events like a boat parade. Combining the love of
California beaches and waterways with the spirit of celebration,
dedicated yachtsmen spend thousands of dollars on intricate lighting
systems to deck out their boats and yachts for the annual King Harbor Christmas Parade.
The seaworthy vessels within the channel follow a
route that sweeps past vantage points where the public can watch the
spectacular display of colors, designs and themes, often tied to the
Southern California lifestyle.
This year the nautical parade will
feature Emmy Award-winning Grand Marshall Rick Hearst of General
Hospital daytime "soap" television series. He'll stand aboard the lead
boat and wave to the crowd throughout the parade route, providing
opportunities for the public to get a glimpse of this Hollywood
celebrity.
An annual tradition for over 15
years, the holiday boat parade held each year in mid-December usually
runs 90 minutes at dusk (around 5:30 p.m.) Best viewing areas for this event
are the restaurants and breakwall areas in the Redondo Beach harbor.
Yacht and boat owners can sign up to participate (fee charged) at khyc.com. The event is sponsored by the King Harbor Yacht Club.
King Harbor is a South Bay harbor region that includes the tourist
attraction, Redondo Pier, shopping, dining, hotels, and free pier fishing. In addition, vacationers and Redondo locals can take boat
trips such as bay cruises, fishing trips and popular whale watching tours that
depart from Kings Harbor seasonally from January to April.
One hotel option for an overnight
stay during the boat parade is Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club, a renovated boutique hotel
with its very own boat slips, all
within walking distance to Redondo's attractions - see map below to view
the King Harbor Christmas Boat Parade location.
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