From Humble Beginnings to Holiday Spectacle: The History of Marina del Rey's Boat Parade
The Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade, now a dazzling spectacle enjoyed by thousands, has a surprisingly humble origin. Back in 1963, when the marina was still a fledgling community with just 100 boats and barely any buildings, a small group of pioneering boat owners, including Margie and Steve Bragg, decided to inject some life into their burgeoning harbor.
"The harbor had nothing at the time," Margie recalls. "We thought a boat parade would be a good idea, and the county was delighted. It would advertise the Marina when nobody wanted to come here."
The challenges of that era were immense. The Marina lacked a breakwater, leaving it vulnerable to ferocious surges that tossed boats around like toys. "There were times when it threw boats up on the docks – or threw the docks up in the air and down onto the boats," Margie remembers.
Despite these hurdles, the spirit of camaraderie was strong. "We were a very close group," she says, describing dinners ashore and dances at their home.
The Braggs, with their newly built 47-foot trimaran, "Tres Leis," were eager participants. "Our trimaran was ideal for a Christmas parade float – a 47-by-24-foot platform," Margie explains.
The first parade was a true community effort. "We walked the docks to get parade entries," Margie recalls. "We asked for a two-dollar donation. I remember talking to a man who wanted to enter but he didn't have any money and I was so anxious to see his boat in the parade that I offered him the $2 entry fee."
Donations from local merchants and the hard work of the boat owners fueled the early parades. "For the first few years," Margie says, "each parade might have cost us $50 or $60. Everything but printing the entry form was done by donation."
The Marina has undergone a dramatic transformation since those early days. The breakwater was built, solving the surge problems. The lone restaurant, Pieces O' Eight, has been replaced by a vibrant waterfront scene. And the number of boats has skyrocketed to nearly 6,000.
Today, the Holiday Boat Parade is a beloved tradition, attracting thousands of spectators. While the scale and grandeur have grown exponentially, the spirit of those early pioneers remains. As current boat owners decorate their vessels and join the festive procession, they carry on the legacy of those who first dreamed of a boat parade in Marina del Rey.
Don't miss this year's "A Margaritaville Holiday" themed boat parade!
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Fireworks: 5:45 PM
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Parade Start Time: 6:00 PM
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Date: December 14th
Have you ever attended the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade? Share your memories in the comments below!