Harbor Lights 30th Anniversary“ A Fairy Tale Holiday”
By Sandra Castillo
On Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, the 30th Annual Harbor Lights Festival rings in the beginning of the holiday season by transforming the beautiful Bayfront Marina into a Fairy Tale Holidayland. This fun filled event for residents and visitors of all ages has grown into a South Texas tradition and a “must attend” family event.The fun begins with a AEP Texas Children’s parade and continues with the HEBuddy Gingerbread House, live entertainment, food and gift vendors, and enjoyable family activities throughout the evening. We hope you enjoy our Fairy Tale Holidayland as we wish everyone a peaceful and loving holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
SATURDAY Schedule of Events:
1:00 p.m. AEP Texas Children’s Parade hosted by KFTX, 97.5
1:00 p.m HEBuddy Gingerbread House brought to you by the Planet 102.3
1:00 p.m. Holiday Tree & Gingerbread Village
1:00 p.m. Children’s Activity Area sponsored by the Downtown Optimist Club
1:00 p.m. Children’s Gift of Love Giveaway
3:00 p.m. Main Entertainment Stage brought to you by The Beach, 96.5
6:00 p.m. Lighting Ceremony Begins with Joe Gazin and Katia Uriate, KIII TV
6:30 p.m. Santa’s Motorcade
7:00 p.m. Lighting of the Tree of Lights
7:45 p.m. Illuminated Boat Parade brought to you by KOUL, 103.7
FESTIVITIES:
AEP Texas Children’s Parade Santa and the Parade will begin at the Kinney Street and proceed North in the Northbound lane of Shoreline Boulevard to Schatzell Street. The spectacular view of the Bayfront makes watching the parade even more delightful. The judges will be located on the median of Shoreline Boulevard near Schatzell Street and a special awards presentation will take place later in the evening for those winning in their category.
HEBuddy Gingerbread House NEW! The HEBuddy Gingerbread House will certainly be a crowd favorite! A fun, creative holiday atmosphere fills the tent to the enjoyment of children of all ages! Gingerbread cookies are available for decorating while special demonstrations are given to make the best cookies! Children can also enjoy a reading from the HEBuddy Health Tales Book with special guests reader HEBuddy himself!
Children’s Gift of Love Giveaway All children are invited to play bingo and enjoy an evening of fun, refreshments, and entertainment. Children play a game and have an opportunity to win gifts. The child is able to select a donated gift of choice to give to their mother, father, brother, teacher, or any person in their life they choose. The gift is then wrapped by volunteers and placed in a bag for the child to take home to place under the Christmas tree! This beautiful display of giving shows children a lesson in giving to others and sharing during Christmas. For it is far better to give than to receive! Children have an opportunity to learn to give a gift of love!
Children’s Activity Area The Downtown Optimist Club provides the Children’s Activity Area with games, face painting and holiday activities for enjoyment. Children will be assisted by more than 50 volunteers in writing postcards to Santa, making holiday greeting cards, and making gifts such as jewelry and crafts. Santa always shows up to say a special ‘hello’ to the children.
The Main Entertainment Stage Enjoy a variety of live entertainment from church groups, school choirs and other area talent singing and performing holiday cheer for a festive day of crowd pleasing songs and special presentations.
Holiday Tree and Gingerbread Village The gingerbread and the holiday tree village is definitely a crowd favorite! Beautiful gingerbread houses and designer creations are hand-made by businesses and residents, then displayed for public viewing. A creative holiday atmosphere is created in a tent decorated with lighted holiday trees. Each tree is uniquely decorated by area schools, organizations and local community groups. Trees and gingerbread houses are auctioned off to raise funds for the Harbor Lights Festival, so be sure to place your bid and support the gingerbread village!
Ceremonial Lighting of the Tree Harbor Lights wouldn’t be complete without the Tree of Lights. Santa’s Motorcade will arrive in grand style led by festive twirlers, ornate floats ending with the guest of honor–Santa Claus. The motorcade will travel down Shoreline Boulevard to the lighting ceremony. Santa, along with several special guests of honor, flip the switch and the lighting of the Tree of Lights officially begins the holiday season
Illuminated Boat Parade The Marina sparkles as boat captains, who have spent countless hours decorating their vessels, begin their regatta through the bay. Professional announcing of the Boat Parade adds to the fun as luxury motorboats, sailboats, shrimp boats, tugs, and Coast Guard Cutters float through the Marina. Their captains and crews sing carols to entertain spectators and WOW the judges along Shoreline Drive. Special awards are presented to winners in various categories.