The Port of San Diego will present the 39th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights on Dec. 12 and 19, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. both nights. Each parade will kick off with a fireworks display at 5:30 p.m. This is the 26th parade that Larry Baumann, owner of the Bali Hai and Tom Ham’s Lighthouse, has been involved with. The parade of lights began as a small event held in the bay near Shelter Island. A crew of sailors wanted to provide an enjoyable holiday event for San Diegans, Baumann said. The group of somewhat salty sailors were members of what they called the D.I.L.L.I.G.A.S. Society. Over the years, it has grown and now traverses the bay from Shelter Island to the Coronado Ferry Landing. “It has become a San Diego tradition,” Baumann said. The theme this year is “The Sounds of Christmas.” Parade entrants will be judged by both their décor and the holiday sounds emitting from their vessels. Entrants compete for a variety of titles. The top honor is the “Best of Parade” and the prize is a Holland American Cruise for two. “The competition gets fierce,” Baumann said. Trophies will be awarded for a variety of categories depending on size, how the boat is powered and whether it is a commercial or private vessel. One thing Baumann said he looks forward to each year is the enthusiasm of the crowd and the fact that so many people come together and share the spirit of the holidays. Another perk is that the event, which started with the intention of giving back to the San Diego community, continues in the same spirit today and is free for all to watch. Boaters pay a $40 entry fee to parade their creative décor. Baumann said the Port of San Diego and other sponsors are integral in continuing to provide this two-day event. “Last year, we had a tragedy on the water,” Baumann said. “Little Anthony Cole DeWeese was killed in a terrible accident.” The 8-year-old boy was involved in an accident aboard his family’s 24-foot Sea Ray, which was hit by a Coast Guard vessel heading toward a rescue. Baumann said this year’s parade will be dedicated to DeWeese. Organizers recommend using San Diego public transit when traveling to the event. Parking will be available at metered spaces along Harbor Drive and on Shelter Island, which is free on Sundays. There are also several area paid lots such as at Seaport Village. For more information, visit www.sdparadeoflights.org, call (619) 224-2240 or e-mail [email protected]. SAN DIEGO BAY PARADE OF LIGHTS Dec. 12 and 19, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The parade takes about one hour to 1 1/2 hours to pass any given point along the parade route. Approximate times for viewing the parade: Shelter Island: 5:30 p.m. Harbor Island: 6 p.m. The Embarcadero: 6:30 p.m. Seaport Village: 7 p.m. Ferry Landing on Coronado: 7:30 p.m.