Were you part of the 100,000 plus spectators to line the streets of Downtown’s waterfront for this year’s Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade, or did you miss it? Well, if you missed it, you will definitely want to check our monthly calendar for this and other awesome events in and around Downtown San Diego so that you don’ t miss out on anything else!

I took my son, who’s almost two, to the Big Bay Balloon Parade and I have to say we were both thoroughly entertained. There’s not much that can keep him happily sitting in his stroller for over an hour (when it’s not moving), but this parade did! The world-class marching bands were amazing, the drill teams and floats were great, and we of course LOVED the huge balloons, which included the likes of Thomas the Train, Woody from Toy Story, the Weinerschnitzel Weiner, Shamu, Bob the Builder, Mother Goose, a giant panda bear, an octopus, and more!

This annual parade commemorates the San Diego Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl which is played at Qualcomm Stadium.  This year marked the 33rd year for the Holiday Bowl. This year’s participating teams’, the Washington Huskies’ and Nebraska Cornhuskers’, marching bands and cheerleading squads participated in the parade. The Washington Huskies upset the heavily-favored Nebraska Cornhuskers 19-7.

Not so sure if you like these big events in San Diego? Well, if you consider the boost to the San Diego economy you should! In its 32-year history, the Holiday Bowl has generated over $500 million in economic impact. The 2009 game brought 43,944 visitors to San Diego who filled 43,951 San Diego hotel room nights and contributed $40.7 million to the local economy. Awesome events like this (and Comic-Con) are not only fun for us to attend, but also generate crucial tourism dollars!

The Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade typically falls at the end of December, so don’t miss it next year! If you want to know what’s going on in San Diego, check out our monthly San Diego Events Calendar.