Holiday season is welcomed by crowds during the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer
Warm weather and sizable audiences welcomed Santa and his entourage, along with the remaining participants in the 91st anniversary edition of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, on Sunday evening, Nov. 26. The holiday season is quickly approaching.
Following an appearance by Santa Claus and his reindeer, thousands of spectators lined the 3.2-mile, U-shaped route to see nearly 100 celebrities and VIPs, over a dozen performers, 10 bands, six four-story-high character balloons, three floats, nearly 40 movie cars, and eight novelty vehicles.
For this march, Santa is always the most sought-after star. After all, for a long while after its 1928 start, the procession was referred to as the "Santa Claus Lane Parade."
The inaugural grand marshal was movie comedian Joe E. Brown in 1932; stars including Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Jimmy Stewart, and John Wayne subsequently held this position. With the exception of 1942–1944 (due to World War II) and 2020 (canceled owing to the pandemic), the parade has been staged annually since then.
Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, was the highest-ranking official traveling this year. Nithya Raman, a Los Angeles City Council member who covers Hollywood and its environs, invited everyone to attend the procession.
However, without a star-studded guest list that included comedian Craig Robinson, radio host Kerri Kasem, pop duo Aly & AJ, dancer-singer Paula Abdul, singer Dwight Yoakum, Saturday Night Live veteran Chris Kattan, and actors Ernie Hudson, Brandon Routh, Ming-Na Wen, Denise Richards, and Tatyana Ali, the parade wouldn't have earned its Hollywood reputation.
The Marine Toys for Tots-sponsored parade began at Orange Street and Hollywood Boulevard, proceeded eastward on Hollywood Boulevard to Vine Street, then southward on Vine Street to Sunset Boulevard, and finally turned westward on Sunset to return to Orange.
Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer
Grand marshal was retired U.S. Army Col. Paris D. Davis, who was named a recipient of the Medal of Honor in March, almost sixty years after being nominated for his valor in the Vietnam War.
"Being selected as the Grand Marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade is an honor and a great source of gratitude," Davis declared. "It makes me very happy that this lovely yearly custom brings attention to the vital job that Marine Toys for Tots is doing to provide gifts and holiday pleasure to those who are less fortunate.
Additionally, the procession spreads goodwill among people worldwide from all walks of life. It serves as a helpful reminder of what America is all about, who we are, and what we are capable of when we band together.
On June 18, 1965, Davis, at eighty-four, was honored "for his daring rescue of two severely injured soldiers during an intense battle in the Vietnam War." Davis was one of the first Black officers to serve in the Army's elite Green Berets.
He was twice recommended for the highest military decoration in the country, the Silver Star, but the supporting documentation was either misplaced or lost. A Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a Soldier's Medal are among his further awards.
The Village People, pop-opera singer Anna Azerli, and The Grinch were among the acts performing prior to the procession. The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles and California Springs Rhythmic Gymnastics were among the parade participants.
Marching bands from the area were the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drums, the Oaxaca Philharmonic Band, the Golden Valley High School Band from San Clarita, the Compton High School Band, the Los Angeles Catholic Schools Band from Torrance, and the PAVA World Traditional Korean Band from Los Angeles.
Sunday's parade will be recorded and aired on the CW Network on December 15 at 8 p.m.
