The City of Chula Vista is thrilled to celebrate Chula Vista HarborFest, at Chula Vista’s beautiful waterfront at Bayside Park. This event will take place on Saturday, September 21 from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM and will feature a wide array of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Free to the public, this year’s harbor side festival will celebrate the Unified Port of San Diego’s 50 year anniversary, featuring three exciting performance stages, engaging educational exhibits with interactive programs offered by the Living Coast Discovery Center, historic seafaring vessels courtesy of San Diego Maritime Museum, playful harbor activities in the water, fishing, exotic wheels and wooden boats, a fantastic Youth Zone, and more! New to this year’s harbor festival are the much anticipated ticketed events including a Sustainable SeafoodFest, Baja Wine Tasting and Craft Beer Garden!
Begin your journey of all things HarborFest by watching spectacular boats set sail on their maiden voyage in the inaugural boat parade. Local boat owners will be saying ‘ahoy matey’ as they coast in the wake of the historic vessels decked out as pirates and maidens! Head down to the water after the parade and take a trip back in time by stepping aboard and touring the tall ship Californian and the historic steam yacht Medea to learn about our seafaring history.
Then, treat yourself to a free ride on San Diego Maritime Museum’s Vietnam era Swift Boat! The thrilling rides do not end there – the Amphibious Seal bus tour of the bay will be available for attendees to enjoy the harbor in a whole new light! Dive deep into the bay at the harbor activities area where you can test your balance and athleticism by enjoying some stand-up paddle boarding! Swim on over to the dock on the bay and reel in some fish with the kiddies to participate in an exhilarating fishing experience. If you fancy being ashore, be sure to cruise by the striking exotic wheels that will line the shores of the bay front to feed your need for speed. Before you glide away, make sure to modernize yourself as you bask in the electric car displays sponsored by Car2Go!
Once you have worked up your appetite, breathe in the salty fresh air as you sample savory seafood delicacies at the first ever Chula Vista Bay SeafoodFest. Savor sustainability for just $20 per ticket as you taste a mouthwatering variety of seafood harvested around the coast and sample succulent specialties incorporating lobster, shrimp, crab, mussels and many more seafood delights.
Gain inspiration as you watch Flor Franco and other top celebrity chefs from regional and local restaurants prepare their signature dishes as if you are on the set of a televised cooking show!
Cleanse your palate at the Craft Beer Garden by sipping on the finest craft brews that San Diego has to offer. True beer enthusiasts can enjoy the best of brews under the warm California sun provided by top local breweries. If you find yourself to be more of a wine connoisseur, breeze by the Baja Wine Garden as you refresh yourself with flavorful sips and samples from Baja wineries! Beverage Garden ticket prices will be just $2 per tasting and $6 per full glass for all attendees who would like to treat themselves to these mouth-watering brews and wines.
Scout out some new favorite bands at one of the three stages, including a Youth Stage, Community Stage, and Main Stage. Bring the entire family to check out the Youth Zone, sponsored by SeaWorld Aquatica, and Youth Stage, where you will be entertained by the hippest DJs and bands, while extreme sport athletes perform challenging tricks and jumps in the BMX Exhibition.
Let the kids explore and experience the coastal ecosystem in a completely new light with educational exhibits from The Living Coast Discovery Center. Be sure to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most exotic reptiles in the thrilling reptile exhibit. If you prefer to tap into your inner creative guru, gain inspiration at the Art in the Park exhibit, which will showcase masterpieces from Chula Vista locals such as nationally renowned metal sculptor, Michael Leaf and local award winning artist Katarzyna Lappin.
Don't miss your chance to experience a day filled with family fun and adventure, for free! For updates and more information on this extraordinary event, and to purchase tickets for the SeafoodFest or Beverage Garden, please visit www.chulavistaharborfest.com or call (619) 233-5008.