The 67th annual La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival themed “Christmas on the Sand” will take place on Sunday, Dec. 3.
The parade kicks off at 1:30 p.m. at Girard and Kline, with the holiday festival opening at 11:30 a.m. on Wall Street between Girard and the alley by the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St.
But this year’s event almost wasn’t, as fundraising leading up to the annual extravaganza has fallen short. However, a good Samaritan has stepped forward to temporarily fill in the funding gaps so the La Jolla parade can go on.
But fundraising will need to continue even after the parade is over. “We still need more money, $25,000 to cover costs on the day of the event,” said Ann Kerr Bache, parade organizer for over 20 years. “We’ll still need donations after Dec. 3 to pay for the many bills that come due after the parade.”
Kerr Bache pointed out that expenses across the board have risen sharply since COVID. She added there is a litany of expenses to be covered for an event of this magnitude. Among them: an estimated $8,564 for police, $1,400 for insurance, $1,450 for fencing, $4,627 for Port-A-Potties, $3,975 for sweeping and sanitation, $2,541 for a sound system, $3,750 for barricades and signage, $1,000 for band stipends, and $800 for banners, programs, and posters.
The parade’s organizer noted fundraising and staging the annual event is a year-round activity requiring a great deal of coordination. “What we’re trying to do is create a more stable organization and the infrastructure to support it,” she said.
Kerr Bache pointed out that the daylong event is a free celebration of the holiday season for people of all ages. Besides bands from the greater San Diego area, the parade includes floats constructed by schools and community groups, parade marshals, and VIPs.
“We have close to 2,000 people in the parade this year including 17 marching units, 14 bands, seven floats, five equestrian entries, and 14 VIP vehicles including seven cars for grand marshals, as well as a parade of Packards provided by the Packard Club of San Diego,” said Kerr Bache.
She added one new parade development this year is that Mrs. Klaus will be joining Santa as headliners.
The Holiday Festival will include visits and photos with Santa and educational exhibits. A Menorah and Christmas tree will be on display. Santa will be joining the festival before and after the parade when he rides in the Old Black Goose, courtesy of the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.
“It is a multi-cultural, accessible, diverse event open to all without charge,” noted Kerr Bache. “We even allow equestrian entries and have maintained a sterling safety record. The holiday event is well-known and multiple generations of the community continue to participate. It draws tens of thousands of spectators to the Village who line the sidewalks. It is a unique old-fashioned celebration that starts and ends with the Holiday Festival.”
Photos by Don Balch
