La Jolla Christmas Parade draws a crowd
By Dave Schwab
Staff Writer
See video of the 54th annual La Town Council-sponsored La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival, which was attended by an estimated 25,000 to 30,000. The Dec. 4 event came off without any major glitches, said parade organizers.
“Everything went smooth and there were zero (car) tows,” said parade chair Ann Kerr Bache of the classic-Christmas themed event. “We must have had 50 beauty queens. Las Patronas brought six vehicles and the Kumeyaay Indian Guides had hundreds of people in their group.”
The cars secured by Las Patronas weren’t your average cars, but Italian sports cars like Ferraris, Maserati, Fiats abd stylish Italian Vespas to help promote the 2012 Jewel Ball. But, it was about more than that for the members, who were marching with banners of eight of their major beneficiaries, who received from $20,000 to $75,000 from the organization’s fundraising efforts. This was the first time they promoted their beneficiaries in the parade.
Also new this year was The Evans School, which brought a wagon packed with 85 students.
Floats, as usual, were a big hit at the parade. Winners and their categories were: Bird Rock Community Council, best overall float; WindanSea, most community spirit; Stella Maris Academy, most creative; Erling Rohde Plumbing, most colorful; All Hallows Academy, most holiday spirit; Kiwanis Remembrance, Santa’s favorite; and Ooh La La Dance Academy, most original.
“The Cub Scouts were great, they carried about 35 banners,” said Kerr Bache. “We also had about 20 to 30 teenage volunteers.”
Kerr Bache said the town council’s parade committee will begin meeting again to plan next year’s event right after the first of the year.
“We’ll be applying for our parade permit with the city in April or May, and that requires that you have a theme,” she added.
A final tally of parade finances will not be available until January.
Related posts:
- Parade will bring street closings Sunday
- La Jolla’s ‘Classic Christmas’ parade still needs money
- La Jolla Art & Wine Festival set up starts Friday evening
- La Jolla Christmas Parade participants announced
- La Jolla Christmas Parade fundraising goal met; other holiday efforts continue
Short URL: http://www.lajollalight.com/?p=55608
Posted by Staff
on Dec 5, 2011. Filed under Featured Story, La Jolla, News.
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