Boat Parade Celebrates 50 years of Marina Del Rey Waterfront

Set along the Marina Del Rey waterfront, the exciting 52nd Annual Holiday Boat Parade celebrated the community’s 50th birthday. The event kicked off after dark with spectacular fireworks. A procession of 75 boats of all shapes, sizes, and designs streamed through the waterways under clear skies. The tradition started in 1962.

Modern 50-70 foot boats, powerboats, tall yachts, deep-sea fishing boats, sailboats, charter boats, powerboats, big hoist boats – you name it. Each boat had a theme: Fantasy, My Suzy, Holiday Spirit, Any time his Party Time, Believe, Commercial Break, California Creole Mardi Gras, Blue Magic, Take the Cake among them.

The overall theme was Happy Birthday Marina del Rey and it was echoed on many of the watercraft. Leon Kaplan of 790 KABC served as the Grand Marshall. Entrance competed for prizes such as Best Lights, Best Music, Best Theme, and Most Creative. The grand prize was a trip to Delray Florida, the sister city of Marina del Rey.

As seen from Burton Chase Park on the Marina del Rey waterfront, each numbered boat was identified by its array of lights. With the invention of the LED lights, the Holiday Boat Parade has become brighter than ever. Dripping lights, snowflakes, lighted candy canes and lollipops, and glow-stick lights blazed forth through the darkened evening. Some boats posted underwater lights, too.

Burton Chase was the Los Angeles supervisor instrumental in building the Marina Del Rey waterfront. Chase obtained the legal sign off from then-President Eisenhower. Marina Del Rey spans a mere 1.5 square miles. It has more restaurants per city block than any other city in the nation except New York City. Many restaurants feature dock & dine docks.

Today, Marina Del Rey is the largest small-craft harbor in the world. The Marina Del Rey waterfront is being restructured to accommodate the larger boats that are so prevalent in the new millennium. The project will reduce the number of boat slips from 6500 to 5300.

Folks from neighboring Venice Beach canals joined in the festivities with the Parade of rowboats, kayaks, paddle boards, and more. Santa hats, lots of music, singing, and whales and lobsters as well. Even Jesus made an appearance.