In a one-of-a-kind holiday spectacle next Friday, the Marina Pez Vela in Quepos will be hosting its third annual Bright Lights Boat Parade, in which watercraft festooned with Christmas lights motor around the marina basin.
The event takes place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, and is free to the public. Over a thousand guests are expected, mostly from the local community in Quepos and Manuel Antonio.
Bright Lights Boat Parade 2015. (Courtesy of Marina Pez Vela)
“It has become the biggest holiday event on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast,” said Jeff Duchesneau, general director of the marina.
The parade is open to all, and boat owners are invited to register their boats to participate. Quepos is about a two-hour drive from San José.
Bright Lights Boat Parade 2015. (Courtesy of Marina Pez Vela)
The event kicks off with a concert by Big Band Costa, a 25-piece brass swing band, at 6 p.m. in the open-air marina amphitheatre facing the ocean. “They did the event last year and had the whole marina dancing,” Jeff said.
At 7:30, circus performers from Circo Silbawak will wow the crowds with aerial silks, magic, stilt walking, acrobatics, juggling and dance.
Performers from Circo Silbawak. (Courtesy of Circo Silbawak)
At 8:30, the boat parade gets underway, in which some 20 boats of all kinds — sailboats, megayachts, even jetskis — will showcase their holiday decorations. The event ends with a big fireworks show and wraps up at 9:30.
You can see a video of last year’s event here.
Reservations can be made for dinner during the event at any of six restaurants: Gabriella’s, Mercato del Porto, Runaway Grill, Sunrice and Z Gastro Bar. Without a reservation, you can also get Middle Eastern food at the Falafel Bar, hot dogs, popcorn and beer at War Pony Provisions, and ice cream at Gelatería Amorosi.
Bright Lights Boat Parade 2015. (Courtesy of Marina Pez Vela)
“It means so much to our project that we have been able to create this unique and magical holiday event which brings together the boat owners, the captains and crews and the Quepos/Manuel Antonio community,” Jeff said.
“I always tell people there are three holiday events that need to be on your Costa Rica bucket list: Festival de la Luz in San José, the Avenida Escazú Merry Parade and the Bright Lights Boat Parade at Marina Pez Vela,” he said. “They are three spectacular holiday events for the family, each one unique.”
IF YOU GO
Phone: (506) 2774-9000
Email: events@marinapezvela.com
For more info: http://www.brightlights.cr
Contact Karl Kahler at kkahler@ticotimes.net