Festivities for the 2011 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl kick off in downtown San Diego's historic Gaslamp Quarter at 6 p.m., Monday, December 19th with the Poinsettia Bowl Gaslamp March – sponsored by Westfield Horton Plaza. Marching bands and spirit squads from the participating universities will parade from each end of 5th Avenue performing fight songs, and meeting 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 2011 bowl president Chuck Wasker. “The heart-pounding 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.

“It was a way to bring the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl game experience to the downtown area for the entire community to enjoy. We continue to be so proud to team up with the folks at the Poinsettia Bowl as well as our neighbors at Westfield Horton Plaza in bringing this unique, family-friendly experience to streets of the historic Gaslamp Quarter,” added Jimmy Parker, the Association’s Executive Director.

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