Thousands of people lined the streets in downtown San Pedro on Sunday, Dec. 1, to get into the holiday mood during the 44th Spirit of the Holidays Parade.
The hometown tradition included marching bands, equestrian units, floats and, of course, Santa Claus.
The parade, sponsored by the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, was the first in a running lineup of holiday-themed events that will also include the Port of Los Angeles’ lighted boat parade and the tree-lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The downtown parade traveled from 13th Street and North Pacific Avenue and headed east on Sixth Street toward the harbor, where San Pedro’s new holiday decorations have been up and lighted for more than a week now.
Among the highlights were bands and drill teams representing several area schools, Scout troops, Little Leagues, service clubs, charitable and fraternal groups, and San Pedro office holders.
Horses and mariachi dancers were all part of the colorful spectacle, which was expected to draw cheering crowds of as many as 9,000 to watch the popular hometown celebration.
The parade goes on each year regardless of the weather and relies on scores of volunteers to help put it all together.
The Port of Los Angeles’ annual boat parade, meanwhile, will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. It will feature decorated and lighted boats of all kinds. The boat parade will be preceded by San Pedro’s ceremonial town square tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. at Sixth Street and Harbor Boulevard.
And for those who may have missed San Pedro’s hometown-flavored parade passing by, all is not lost: The 37th annual Heart of the Harbor parade in Wilmington is planned for noon Sunday, Dec. 8, along Avalon Boulevard from F and M streets.
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