The annual Parade of Lights at the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns for spectators, the Ventura County Harbor Department announced.

The 2020 Parade of Lights, which has taken place for 54-years, had been scheduled for Saturday, December 12.  The only time the event has been canceled in the past was due to poor weather conditions which risked the safety of boaters and spectators.

“Our team and boating community were very hopeful that the Holiday boat parade could take place,” said Mark Sandoval, Harbor Department Director. “This event has always been very well attended along the Harbor shores, and as a result the responsible decision for the health and safety of our community was to cancel this event.”

Director Sandoval said similar decisions have been made for all major Harbor events in 2020, including Celebration of the Whales Festival, Fireworks by the Sea, Concerts by the Sea, and a variety of car shows.

“We are living through unprecedented times and it’s important that we all stay safe,” Director Sandoval said. “We are making progress as a County community, and it is imperative we continue to practice measures that allow our Harbor businesses to fully reopen and thrive again.”

Editor’s Note: this story was published Nov. 2, 2020.