Welcome to “Surf, Sun and Santa” the signature themed 35th annual Seal Beach Christmas Parade that promises to be the best and most festive parade ever. With more than 3,800 participants and 117 entries, Main Street will be alive with the sights, lights and sounds of the festive, joyful holiday season.
Thirty-one years ago, I watched my first Seal Beach parade that went both ways up and down Main Street. It was much smaller and in many ways simpler, yet even back then it had that “Mayberry by the Sea” feeling. Three years later I walked in the parade for the first time pulling my infant son, Grant, in a decorated wagon for his day care center. When I joined the Lions Club in 1988, I began my career as a “parade volunteer” and have been working the event ever since.
Our Seal Beach Christmas Parade is a great hometown event that brings the community together year after year for an evening of warm holiday spirit. Floats, cars, jeeps, wagons, strollers, bikes, boats, bands, animals and horses will all be part of the parade again this year. It always begins by honoring the flag of our country, recognizing our noteworthy Grand Marshal and Junior Grand Marshal and ends with the arrival of Santa Claus.
New this year is a contest judging costumes, decorations and entertainment in connection with the theme: Surf, Sun and Santa. Winners of five contest categories will be honored at Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 14 at the Mary Wilson Senior Center.
As I have for many years, I look forward to seeing the throngs of people lining Main Street on Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. for the 35th annual Seal Beach Christmas Parade. It will certainly be a great evening for all ages. I am so honored to again serve as Chairman of this amazing community event. Thank you sponsors, entrants, merchants, supporters, our City staff and perhaps most gratefully, my fellow Lions without whom I would never be able to make the magic happen for our parade.
See you on Dec. 6 at Main and Ocean!
Scott Newton is chairman of the Seal Beach Christmas Parade.
