MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- It started in 1963 when Marina del Rey boat owners created a parade to attract people to the waterfront community. Fifty years later, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade– this year called "Celebrating 50 Years, A Solid Gold Christmas" -- is still a celebrated tradition and is poised to attract thousands to view the festively decorated boats competing for awards.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121115/LA03000)

Organized by an all-volunteer committee of local business and community leaders, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade will take place on Saturday, December 8 from 6-8 pm and will kick off with a fireworks show. Spectators are invited to enjoy the festivities from popular viewing locations like Burton Chace Park, Fisherman's Village and local hotels and restaurants.  

"For 50 years, Marina del Rey's annual holiday boat parade has showcased the local boat owners and businesses who come together to ring in the holiday season in the heart of the Marina," said Cindy Williams, president of the Marina del Rey Boat Committee. "We are very proud of the contributions the community has made for the past five decades and we look forward to making this year's parade the best yet."

The route circles the Marina Channel past Fisherman's Village, Burton Chace Park and the California Yacht Club.  Parade judges will be stationed at Burton Chace Park where guests can enjoy live music and commentary from Lisa Osborn, KFWB-AM newscaster and Mickey Laszlo, a cartoon voiceover actor and KABC-TV traffic reporter. To add to the festivities, the Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau is distributing Santa hats with flashing LED lights to the first 1,500 spectators at Burton Chace Park.

"All year-round Marina del Rey is the best place in Los Angeles to experience on-the-water culture, activities and special events," said Beverly Moore, executive director of the Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau. "The Marina del Rey boat parade is a favorite tradition that showcases the community's creativity and holiday spirit. Visitors and residents are invited to join us at Burton Chace Park or Fisherman's Village for the best views of the holiday celebration."

For more information about Marina del Rey please, visit www.visitmarinadelrey.com.

About Marina del Rey CVB

Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for Marina del Rey, California. MdR CVB provides support and information on tourism services and facilities to the public, travel agents, tour operators, meeting planners and the media.

For more information, call 310-305-9545, log on to www.VisitMarinaDelRey.com, www.facebook.com/visitmarinadelrey, www.twitter.com/marinadelrey_ca, or http://www.visitmarinadelrey.com/blog; or stop by the Marina del Rey Visitors Center, 4701 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292. For group information and travel professionals, call 310-306-9900.

Press Contacts
Mandev Khalsa / Chelsea Hartnett
BLAZE PR
310-395-5050
mkhalsa@blazepr.com / chartnett@blazepr.com

SOURCE Marina del Rey Convention & Visitors Bureau