It is hard to imagine that we are already there. Halloween is behind us and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Before you know it, the Seal Beach Christmas Parade is going to march its stately way from Ocean to Pacific Coast Highway along Main Street starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2.
Parade chairman Scott Newton is particularly excited about some key changes that are coming to this year’s event.
“It is truly going to be continuous motion and performance with enhanced lighting, more MCs and to top it off, the parade will actually continue down the south side of Pacific Coast Highway to 10th Street,” Newton said.
Originally conceived by the Seal Beach Police Department and the city, this represents a huge improvement for safety and cohesiveness of the parade. Those who may wish to return to the parade after collecting children or participants in the parade simply loop back to Electric and walk back up the side of Main Street.
This should actually reduce congestion at the PCH and Main street intersection as southbound traffic on PCH will be routed around to Bolsa and then to either 12th Street or Seal Beach Blvd.
Focus on Sun Region
Great news for those who have little ones who want to see the parade and most importantly our special visit from Santa as the #100, final entry.
“We really made the decision this year to limit the size of the parade and even groups to make sure we stay focused on Seal Beach, Rossmoor and Los Alamitos,” Newton said. “We are considered one of the parades to see in Southern California.”
“Dignitaries this year will include Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and Assemblyman Jim Silva, who both have been long-term supporters of Seal Beach. Our own City Manager Jill Ingram may have her own unique spin on her ride this year, but we don’t want to ruin the surprise,” Newton said.
Jim Klisanin, who has been involved in the parade since the beginning, and traditionally throws an invitation-only bash at his business, Baytown Realty, thinks the parade is in the best shape it ever has been.
“The partnership with the Lions, Chamber and city has never been stronger. We are a small community, but full of heart. We may have suffered an unexpected event in our community, but I know the parade will continue to showcase what makes Seal Beach special,” Klisanin said.
Our parade, which literally goes three blocks (and now wraps the corner on Pacific Coast Highway), is filled with bands, businesses, non-profits, city departments, military vehicles, schools, groups and politicos of all types.
Usually lasting an hour and a half or so, it packs thousands of people onto our Main Street. Make sure you secure a spot or attend one of the many events put on by Main Street merchants on parade night.
There is a tradition among businesses to have a special event or open house and the parade committee encourages this to welcome customers old and new.
It is not unusual to see blankets and chairs set up the morning of the parade. Be sure to keep the pedestrian walkways clear prior to the parade though.
Restaurants and bars are packed to the gills the night of the parade and you may want to check with your favorite watering hole as there may be special reservations or no reservations on parade night.
Thanks to the Sun Newspapers, we will have a pull out section with the lineup and details on our Junior and Grand Marshals, which will be available included in the newspaper of Dec. 1.
There will be both a grand marshal and junior marshal this year—so stay tuned to the Sun for that update and news.
We will give you one hint—the grand marshal has developed one of the most talked about non-profits in Seal Beach and as to the Junior Grand Marshals, well, they are “world renowned”—seriously.
After the parade, Santa will come back in town for Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 11 in Eisenhower Park. Photos and elves may abound with a buffet breakfast. More information to be revealed in our next parade and holiday installment.
If you do wish to have an entry in the parade, the forms are due no later than November 8th and can be downloaded from the Seal Beach Chamber website at www.sealbeachchamber.org, or call (562)799-0179 for more information.
