Festivities for the 2012 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl kick off in downtown San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter at 6 p.m., Tuesday, December 18th with the Five Star Tours Poinsettia Bowl Gaslamp March. Marching bands and spirit squads from SDSU and BYU will parade from each end of 5th Avenue performing holiday favorites then meet up at Market Street for a heart-pounding marching band exhibition. After the dust has settled at Market Street, bands will continue on with their parade of marching tunes.

"I can't think of a better way to kick off the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl festivities than with this thrilling event," said 2012 bowl president John Wertz. "The high energy sounds of these two university marching bands will be spectacular."

This San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl event is being produced in cooperation with the Gaslamp Quarter Association. Sponsors include Five Star Tours, NewsRadio 600 KOGO, Think Blue San Diego and San Diego County Credit Union.

"The event is the perfect medium to bring the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl game experience to the downtown area for the entire community to enjoy," said Jimmy Parker, Executive Director of the Gaslamp Quarter Association. "We are so proud to team up with the folks at the Poinsettia Bowl in bringing this unique, family-friendly experience to streets of the historic Gaslamp Quarter."

This downtown event is free for spectators. For more information fans are encouraged to visit www.PoinsettiaBowl.com.