The 26th annual Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by San Diego County Credit Union is set to step off at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The parade kicks off National Funding Holiday Bowl game day. This signature San Diego event annually attracts more than 100,000 viewers to the scenic bayside streets of San Diego. This is a nationally and locally televised attraction. Fox Sports San Diego will produce the event and air it live locally. The Fox Sports family of networks will carry the national broadcast and also air it live in various markets. Fox Sports San Diego and Fox Sports Prime Ticket will broadcast the event live, and rebroadcast it several times. “The scenic San Diego bay serves as the stunning backdrop for what truly is one of the nation’s best parades,” said executive director of the San Diego Bowl Game Association, Mark Neville. “Hundreds of community-minded volunteers and several dedicated sponsors have made this an event that we are so proud to present to a national viewing audience.” Recognized as “America’s Largest Balloon Parade,” the event features more giant helium-filled character balloons than any parade in the country. Featured inflatables this year include Clifford the Big Red Dog and Mr. Potato Head among a cast of characters that will require 65,000 cubic feet of helium. The theme of the parade is “Honoring our First Responders.” Representing the grand marshal, in honor of Officer Jonathan “J.D.” DeGuzman, will be his wife Jane and two children, Jedd and Amira. Prior to the parade the public is invited to participate in the Bumble Bee Seafoods 5K Run/Walk at the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade. The Bumble Bee Seafoods 5K Run kicks off the parade at 9:45 a.m. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each division. Registration is still open. Runners will run along the parade route in front of 100,000 cheering spectators.
Also appearing at the parade will be Larry Culpepper, Dr. Pepper concessionaire and inventor of the College Football Playoff. He will be riding on the “Hey, Ice Cold Dr. Pepper Here!” float presented by Dr. Pepper and is also expected to appear at the Dr. Pepper sampling tent, near the Broadway Pier, after his ride in the parade. For more information on all parade day events, and to purchase parade television area grandstand tickets, visit SanDiegoBowlGames.com or call 619-283-5808. The National Funding Holiday Bowl kicks off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Qualcomm Stadium. The game pits the Minnesota Golden Gophers against the Washington State Cougars.