Chairs: Michele Addington and Lynda Hunt
Secretary: Annette Bradbury

Parade Volunteers and Coordinators: Otis Benton, Gary Bulfur, Carol Burchard, , Mike Carlin, John Cummings, Craig Koontz, Gail Forbes, Sally Fuller, Ann Kerr Bache, Peggy Howell of FOCAS, Dr. David Irwin, Joan Macaluso, Mary Wayne, Hank Woodward

On the first Sunday of December, the La Jolla Christmas Parade lures 20,000 locals out of the hills and from the beaches to sit on the cement sidewalks of the village to watch a spectacular, homespun tradition unfold. Recognizing the universality of Holiday celebrations this year's theme for the parade is "World Wide Wonder”. In the selection of its parade marshals the committee emphasizes values of education, philanthropy, culture, and service, by honoring local citizens of achievement. In addition to the parade marshals, the Parade Committee hopes to receive the names of other local citizens who have served our community. These Legends of La Jolla need to be sponsored by contributions and are invited to be in the parade. Another 1200 people, from all over San Diego, will participate in the form of marching bands, ROTC units, drill teams, dancers, scout troops, float builders, equestrians, car aficionados, politicos, promoters, and pranksters.

The goal of the parade and festival is to celebrate a tradition and assist the community's participation, particularly of its youth (for whom this may be an initial venture in civic service), without jeopardizing the financial health of the La Jolla Town Council. Every year the Cub Scouts of La Jolla carry the parade banners down Girard Avenue. Girl Scout Troops march in the parade and offer service as a litter patrol. The Kids Corps has volunteered to help on parade day. La Jolla High School and Bishops' encourage enthusiastic students who are interested in giving public service.

The committee coordinates with the YMCA, Rotary, Kiwanis, Toastmasters, La Jolla Park and Recreation, Inc., Friends of County Animal Shelters, and Promote La Jolla, our Business Improvement District, in continuing the local holiday traditions of those organizations. See Schedule of Events for December 3rd, 2006 (www.ljparade.com). Such community efforts help the committee to organize and staff the parade. To acquire the safety infrastructure needed to obtain a permit for this special event, La Jolla Town Council Foundation depends on business sponsorships and local donations from its members.

With a tradition of 47 years behind it, the Christmas Parade has a momentum that gathers the enthusiasm of the holiday and combines it with the competitive instinct. The Parade Judges (usually former officers of the Town Council) award prizes for building floats to encourage the efforts of that labor intensive activity. Almost every elementary school in La Jolla has plans on the drawing board to build a float. The Town Council also provides a stipend to any of the marching bands that enter, reflecting the value of their musical talent.

The events of the day start at NINE in the morning with the Holiday Festival. It includes the YMCA's Arts and Crafts Faire, an open air market, along Silverado Street. All the vendors offer hand made, hand decorated or hand crafted items for sale. The variety and quality make the Arts & Crafts Festival a good place for gift shopping until it closes at 4 pm. A Kids’ Fun Zone will keep children occupied with rides and activities. Nearby, food booths offer coffee, popcorn, snacks, soda, and international foods throughout the day. Local entertainment will showcase talent on the stage at Herschel Avenue from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 pm when the parade steps off at Girard Avenue. The Festival offers room for displays and culture from any community organization in keeping with holiday traditions.

Before the parade the hectic mustering of the different units along Herschel and Kline Streets - begins at 10:30 am and requires that many of our village streets are closed on parade day. The combination of activity and inconvenience tests the patience of all. Volunteers learn the logistics of safety and cleanliness; they practice tact and diplomacy. Lessons are learned. Friendships are formed. Over the last 47 years the consensus in the village has been “Its one day a year” and “The Parade is worth it”.

At 3:30 pm La Jolla Park and Recreation, Inc. opens the Recreation Center doors for the Rotary Club of La Jolla's cider and cookies reception.

December 3rd will be a fun day for all. Contributions of all kinds – volunteers, services, money, and equipment - are essential and welcome! Parade Sponsors and donations of all kinds are needed to help support the Parade. More information and forms are available online at www.ljparade.com. Questions may be directed to info@ljparade.com.

Please join us for the celebration on Sunday, December 3rd, 2006. The holidays may provide us with inspiration but it is many people working together that sustain the tradition of the La Jolla Festival and Parade.