37th Annual Boat Parade of Lights

By Joanne A Calitri | December 19, 2023

Polariis lighting up the sea and crowds (photo by Joanne A Calitri)

The 37th Annual Boat Parade of Lights was held in the Santa Barbara beach and harbor area along Cabrillo Boulevard on Sunday, December 10.

The Parade of Lights event committee is powered by newly appointed City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Administrative Analyst II and Public Information Officer Angela Rodriguez, with Parade of Lights Committee Chair Captain Skip Abed, Waterfront Director Mike Wiltshire, with Captain Dave Bacon with his wife Cathy as emcees.

The full-on Stearns Wharf and City of Santa Barbara Waterfront event started with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Stearns Wharf Santa Village. There were faux snow, elves, holiday music, and the tree lighting at the Sea Center.

The Boat Parade of Lights started around 6 pm, with over 30 boat entrants, cruising on a new course this year from the harbor to the top of Stearns Wharf and down its right side, circling back to the harbor. The viewing was fantastic from the pier, Moby Dick Restaurant, and straight through to Cabrillo Boulevard.

The decorated boats went all out this year with the theme “Disco Extravaganza.” Studio 54 now has serious contenders in our town! The boats had disco lights, disco balls, and of course disco dancers, all in great form with sequined silk costumes, blinking ties, hats, and hair pieces. They played dance music – mostly by Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees song from Saturday Night Fever.

Competition was tight this year, especially when Rick Wallace had his sailboat Bosporus disco dance in a circle a few times in front of the judges! Amazing boatmanship in addition to his boat décor – winning him first place in the Sailboat category.

Parade Judges were Robin Elander, Kate Ford, Alejandra Gutierrez, Kristen Miller, John Palminteri, Amy Rose,and John Stedman.

The MJ gives a warm welcome and super congratulations to Angela Rodriguez, for a fun, upbeat, well-organized, and happier-than-a-clam event.