Grand Marshal - Spencer Christian
Spencer Christian joined the ABC7 News team in January 1999 and is
the weather forecaster for ABC7 News at 6. He's also the co-host of The
View from the Bay, ABC7's daily, live one-hour entertainment program
that airs at 3 p.m. weekdays.
Spencer moved to ABC7 after nearly 13 years with Good Morning America -- based in New York -- where he did the national weather reports in addition to traveling throughout the United States and abroad reporting on a wide range of topics from current events to human interest stories.
Spencer devotes a good deal of his time to charitable and community-service organizations such as the March of Dimes, Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, the United Negro College Fund, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and others. In addition, he has served as the ABC Network's spokesperson for children's literacy, and has worked as a mentor in a number of service-to-youth programs. He has also had the honor of working with Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter on Habitat for Humanity, and he was the emcee for former President Carter's 75th birthday celebration in October 1999, in Americus, Georgia.
Spencer is the author of a series of children's books under the general heading "Spencer Christian's World of Wonders." The first four books are titled: "Can It Really Rain Frogs?," "Shake, Rattle, and Roll," "What Makes the Grand Canyon Grand?," and "Is There a Dinosaur in Your Backyard?." Education and literacy continue to be among Spencer's passionate concerns.
A wine enthusiast and collector since 1977, Spencer at one time maintained a private collection of more than 1,600 bottles of fine wine. From January 1995, to December 1999, he hosted Spencer Christian's Wine Cellar, a lively and informative program which aired on HGTV (Home and Garden Television) and on the TV Food Network. Spencer continues to be a serious wine enthusiast and visits California's wine country regularly.
Spencer is also an avid sports fan. He played varsity baseball in college and actually had a tryout with the Baltimore Orioles in 1968, his junior year in college.
