A blue whale balloon makes its way down Harbor Drive. Photo by Chris Stone
Thousands of spectators cheered under cool, sunny weather as big balloons, floats, bands and marchers added color and music to the San Diego Bay front Wednesday morning in the Holiday Bowl Parade along North Harbor Drive.
Military bands, “Star Wars” characters, lowrider vehicles carrying parade officials and the Balloon Platoon got big cheers from people lining both sides of North Harbor Drive during the 90-minute parade.
Bruce Binkowski, retired executive director of the San Diego Bowl Game Association, served as grand marshal of the 25th annual parade.
Binkowski was the Holiday Bowl’s first paid employee in 1978 and was executive director for the final 14 years before his retirement. The Poinsettia Bowl was created during his tenure, giving San Diego two college football postseason contests.
Older sports fans will remember him more directly as a radio sports reporter and public address announcer for the Chargers, Padres and San Diego State Aztecs.
The parade was preceded by the Wiener Nationals Championship Dachshund race, and a 5K run/walk. Around 100,000 spectators were expected to attend.
— City News Service
The Cat in the Hat made an appearance in the Holiday Bowl Parade along Harbor Drive. Photo by Chris Stone
The Wienerschnitzel balloon is inflated just before the parade begins. Photo by Chris Stone
Woody, snowman and gingerbread man balloons line up at the start of the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Wisconsin Badgers cheerleaders entertain spectators. Photo by Chris Stone
A gingerbread balloon stays high above hungry spectators at the Holiday Bowl Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Color Guard members from the Millard West High School Wildcat Band from Omaha march in the parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Thousands lined the parade route to enjoy the Holiday Bowl Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Wisconsin Badgers fans check on the parade lineup. Photo by Chris Stone
Winners of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals ride on a float. Photo by Chris Stone
A Very Hungry Caterpillar inches along the parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
Wisconsin Badgers fans from Northern California cheer their team. Photo by Chris Stone
A young paradegoer pauses while eating his corndog as a band passes. Photo by Chris Stone
A U.S. Marine is cheered as he passes in his military vehicle. Photo by Chris Stone
A USC fan cheers as the Trojan band passes by the grandstands. Photo by Chris Stone
Spectators applaud as U.S. Naval Sea Cadets march past. Photo by Chris Stone
Balloons are grouped together before the parade started. Photo by Chris Stone
The Soaring Eagles marched in the Holiday Bowl Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A U.S. Marine Corps band is reflected in a sousaphone. Photo by Chris Stone
A U.S. Marine Corps band delighted the crowd at the Holiday Bowl Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Soaring Eagles perform in the Holiday Bowl Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
A Wisconsin fan holds out a Badgers flag as the football float passes. Photo by Chris Stone
A color guard member from Grossmont High School performs. Photo by Chris Stone
The Balloon Platoon from Pleasanton gets ready to bring laughs to the crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
County Supervisor Greg Cox waves to the crowds along the parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
Fans young and old enjoyed the dozens of big balloons. Photo by Chris Stone
A motorized recliner and float were part of the Jerome’s Furniture entry. Photo by Chris Stone
A young Cub Scout carries the banner for the Cat in the Hat balloon. Photo by Chris Stone
Parade spectators took photos and cheered as the balloons passed by. Photo by Chris Stone
T-Rex, sponsored by Dr. Pepper, soars above parade spectators. Photo by Chris Stone
Councilmembers Todd Gloria and Myrtle Cole wave to the crowds at the Holiday Bowl Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Prince the Lion from the San Diego Zoo roars down the Big Bay Balloon parade route. Photo by Chris Stone
Holiday Bowl Parade Grand Marshal Bruce Binkowski waves to the crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Midway Museum’s aircraft carrier float passes by the viewing stands. Photo by Chris Stone
Lakeville North High School Marching Band of Minnesota marches just ahead of the U.S. Bank snowman. Photo by Chris Stone
Horatio the Bee from Bumble Bee Seafoods soars above the thousands of spectators at the Holiday Bowl Parade. Photo by Chris Stone
Woody the Cowboy had a close call with a lamp post along Harbor Drive. Photo by Chris Stone
A blue whale balloon makes its way down Harbor Drive. Photo by Chris Stone
An airplane balloon from the Midway Museum flies above Holiday Bowl Parade crowd. Photo by Chris Stone
