VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The Christmas Ships have been a tradition in the Portland-Vancouver area since 1954. In years past, those wanting to watch these elaborately decorated boats ply the Columbia River needed to make reservations at riverfront restaurants far in advance or stand out in the elements during our typically cold and wet December weather.

This year, for the third year in a row, viewers have another option. On Dec. 21, the Port of Vancouver USA and WareHouse '23 are welcoming the public for free family fun, Christmas Ships viewing and updates on redevelopment of the downtown Vancouver waterfront.

Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. in the WareHouse '23 event space at 100 Columbia Street, Vancouver (former Red Lion hotel ballroom), and include:

* Holiday classics by the Vancouver Community Concert Band
* Face painting, balloons and free children's books from the Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation and port tenants NuStar Energy L.P. and Food Express, Inc.
* Warm beverages and cookies
* WareHouse '23 gourmet macaroni and cheese for purchase
* Cash bar
* The Christmas Ships, estimated to arrive between 7:30 and 8 p.m.

Staff with the Port of Vancouver, Vesta Hospitality and Columbia Waterfront LLC will also be on hand that evening to share information about ongoing waterfront redevelopment at Terminal 1 and The Waterfront Vancouver. The port and Vesta Hospitality signed a lease in August for a new, 160-room AC by Marriott Hotel at Terminal 1. The hotel is expected to open in 2019.

About Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is the port's birthplace on the Columbia River and the site of unfolding redevelopment along Vancouver's downtown waterfront. When fully developed, the project will provide office, retail and commercial space; a public marketplace; hotel; residential apartments; low- and high-dock access; restaurants; and connection to the city's popular Renaissance Trail.

At full build-out, Terminal 1 is expected to provide nearly 950,000 square feet of new mixed-use development, create 800 new jobs to support commercial activity, drive construction investment of more than $200 million and generate nearly $93 million in state and local taxes over a 25-year period.

-- POV --

The Port of Vancouver USA is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast, and its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a skilled labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.