Merry and bright: ‘Reverse’ Christmas Parade rolls through La Jolla

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Santa Claus makes his entrance in the Old Black Goose as part of the La Jolla Christmas Parade festivities Dec. 6. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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Cars proceed up Herschel Avenue to view La Jolla Christmas Parade floats stationed along the street. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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Antique airplanes fly over the La Jolla Christmas Parade to signal its start. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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Mermaids from Erling Rohde Plumbing send holiday wishes to parade passersby. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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Children tell Santa from a social distance what they want for Christmas as he greets visitors outside the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

In a Christmas parade in reverse, floats and displays line Herschel Avenue in La Jolla as spectators drive by to see them.

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In a Christmas parade in reverse of the traditional format, floats and displays line Herschel Avenue in La Jolla as spectators drive by to see them. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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The man in red greets La Jolla Christmas Parade guests from a social distance. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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“Dude Vader” greets La Jolla Christmas Parade visitors in his “Star Wars” holiday finest. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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The “Star Trek” universe sent two representatives to the La Jolla Christmas Parade in their space-inspired float. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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Classic cars line the street as part of the La Jolla Christmas Parade. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

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Students from Ooh La La Dance Academy perform for spectators driving by during the La Jolla Christmas Parade. (Ashley Mackin-Solomon)

By Ashley Mackin-Solomon

Dec. 7, 2020 12:06 PM PT

Mermaids, seascape paintings and classic cars helped La Jollans ring in the holiday season when the “reverse” 2020 Christmas Parade rolled through town Dec. 6 with the theme “Christmas in the Cove in the Time of COVID.”

The sunny Sunday afternoon provided a platform for the traditional floats to line Herschel Avenue, but this time, spectators with tickets drove by in cars to see them to promote social distancing as a COVID-19 safety measure. Face masks also were required.

Santa Claus made his usual entrance in a 1915 Packard convertible known as the Old Black Goose and was taken to the portico of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library for socially distant visits and photos. Other classic Packards lined the street for viewing. ◆

Ashley Mackin-Solomon

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