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Dramatic Send-Off Planned for Ha-Ha 16

Although details have yet to be finalized, festivities in San Diego surrounding the annual Baja Ha-Ha cruisers’ rally are expected to reach a new level. Tenants of the Port of San Diego, in conjunction with several government agencies, are working with the Rally Committee and Latitude 38, to give the Ha-Ha — which is the largest offshore sailing event on the West Coast — greater exposure to the general public.

“Ahh. . . Is something burning?” Fear not, those fans of spray are simply a friendly salute to the Ha-Ha fleet from the Port of San Diego.

© LA Fire Dept

On Monday, October 26, while en route to the Leg One starting line outside the bay, members of the fleet will transit the Harbor in a loose procession past the downtown cityfront, Harbor Island and Shelter Island, where a fire boat will be on site to salute them. Entrants will be encouraged to parade in their Halloween costumes to add to the festive mood, and to enhance the photo ops for local TV, radio and print journalists. Public park areas along those islands will give easy viewing options to spectators.

In addition, charter boat operators, yacht club members and local boaters will be encouraged to sail out to the starting line, off Coronado Roads, at 11 a.m. and cheer on the fleet. These plans are in their infancy, so stay tuned for futher details. The bottom line, though, is that the Ha-Ha’s sendoff this year should be more fun — and more dramatic — than ever.

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