May 15, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

County Officials Issue ‘Cease and Desist’ to Marina del Rey Halloween Boat Parade Organizers

With an Unusually High Number of Vessels Circling the Harbor, and Unexpected Large Crowds in Public Spaces, Other Boats May Have Trouble Navigating While Space Is Taken Away From Other Beachgoers

By Zach Armstrong

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors has issued a Cease and Desist letter to the organizers of a Halloween boat parade planned for Marina del Rey this weekend.

Set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m., spectators are encouraged to watch from Burton Chase Park and other spots as a flurry of vessels adorned with Halloween-themed lights and decorations sail through the Marina del Rey harbors in the third annual “Halloween Boat Pageant”. Registered participants, whose entry fees would benefit Autism Speaks and local outreach programs, anticipate competition for prizes in various categories.

But earlier this week, county officials sent a notice to the pageant’s organizers to cancel the event, asserting that, without a permit, the spectacle violates county codes and federal regulations. Failure to comply will lead to fines, according to the letter.

“An individual or organization planning to hold a regatta or marine parade which, by its nature, circumstances or location, will introduce extra or unusual hazards to the safety of life on the navigable waters of the United States, shall submit an application to the Coast Guard District Commander having cognizance of the area where it is intended to hold such regatta or marine parade.” the letter, issued on Monday, states.

The boat pageant organizers did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Mirror Media Group.

The issues at stake are safety hazards along with public access, said a representative with the County Department. With an unusually high number of vessels circling the harbor, and unexpected large crowds in public spaces, other boats may have trouble navigating while space is taken away from other beachgoers.

“With permitting, it’s not just this boat parade that’s an issue.” said the representative. “We have so many unpermitted events at Dockweiler and other beaches. People don’t seem to realize that ‘Yes, you need a permit for putting on a 300-person party with a DJ and booths and such.’ It’s an access issue. When people hold private events, they can block parking spaces for other people who want to go to the beach that day.”

Competing for space would especially become an issue this weekend. Concurrently with the planned date for the “Halloween Boat Pageant”, Beaches and Harbors will host its annual “Marina Spooktacular”, a two-day Halloween festival also set for Burton Chace Park including a blackout maze, a graveyard treasure hunt and food trucks.

According to the cease and desist notice, the “Boat Pageant”’s organizers are urged to immediately remove references to the “3rd Annual Halloween Boat Parade,” “3rd Annual Halloween Boat Pageant,” and Department-owned facilities from websites and social media platforms. 

As of this writing, those references still appear on https://halloweenboatparade.com/ and on the @halloweenboatparade Instagram account.

in Hard, News
Related Posts

(Video) Where great minds grow at The Willows Community School

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

The Willows, a DK-8 co-educational school, enrolls 474 students from 57+ zip codes annually. As a balanced, progressive educational leader, experiential learning,...

Experience You Can Trust, Beards You Can Admire: Economy Roofing’s 75-Year Legacy in Santa Monica CA

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

Driving along Santa Monica Blvd., you may have seen a playful billboard featuring two rugged men with impressively big beards,...

(Video) Squirrels Overrun Palisades Park, Officials Warn Against Feeding

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Environmental Concerns are Raised as the Brown Rodents Cover the Lawn Environmental Concerns are Raised as the Brown Rodents Cover...

(Video) See Inside Levain Bakery’s New Venice Beach Spot

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

The NY-Based Bakery Serves Up Signature Cookies, Bread, Muffins and Coffee The NY-Based Bakery Serves Up Signature Cookies, Bread, Muffins...

Victorian Thriller ‘Gaslight’ to Open at Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

Set in 1880s London, the play follows a husband and wife caught in a chilling battle over truth and reality...

Santa Monica City Council Approves Outdoor Drinking Zone on Third Street Promenade

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

New “Entertainment Zone” Will Allow Alcohol Consumption in Public Spaces If you have ever wished to have a cocktail or...

ICE Apprehends Santa Monica College Student Off-Campus

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

This apprehension comes amid heightened ICE activity in Southern California, where federal agents have targeted major cities including Los Angeles...

Palisades Couple Files Lawsuit Against California FAIR Plan, Other Major Insurers

May 14, 2025

May 14, 2025

The Jungwirths, who moved to Pacific Palisades last June with their three-year-old daughter, purchased a FAIR Plan policy after struggling...

(Video) Pacific Resident Theatre Debuts “Fostered”: A Comedy About Authenticity and Life Choices

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Firefighters and Wildfire Victims Have Free Admission to a Special May 16 Performance. For More Info, Go To Pacificresidenttheatre.org Firefighters...

Registration Now Open for Summer at New Roads

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

New Roads School is accepting registration for its summer program, a vibrant selection of classes and camps curated to meet...

A Dozen Venice Beach Teachers Honored at 15th Annual WAVE Awards

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

The ceremony highlighted teachers exemplifying this year’s theme, “Cultivating Character,” and awarded the Joelle Award to District Director for LAUSD...

Details Unveiled for Venice Summer Fest 2025

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

Organizers described the fest as “more than an event — it’s a community celebration that reflects the creativity, heart, and...

Venice Student Exhibition Honors Incarcerated Japanese Americans Through Photography

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The exhibition is the result of a yearlong project that involved research, interviews, and site visits A new student-led exhibition...

City to Issue Solicitations for Affordable Housing Development at Bergamot Station Arts Center

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Proposals for the Bergamot Station Arts Center must prioritize maximizing affordable housing units while also considering potential artist housing and...

Golf Tournament to Raise Funds for Palisades Charter High School Wildfire Recovery

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

The “Raise Pali Golf Tournament” includes a nine-hole game, prize putting contests, and a community reception A community-led golf tournament...