Locals could hardly believe word last year that the venerable Hollywood Christmas Parade was ending for various reasons, including budget issues. But in its place marches Hollywood's Santa Parade, sponsored by the City of LA, which doesn't feel all that different from its predecessor (and that's a great thing).
Are there still various, stocking-hatted, be-mittened celebrities from television, movies and the recording arts, waving cheerily from convertibles and floats and talking about holiday magic and what Christmas means to them? Yes. Will there be crowd-pleasers, like a "Back to the Future" DeLorean and KITT from "Knight Rider" and costumed riders on horseback and astronaut Buzz Aldrin? That's the word.
We couldn't be more pleased to see the show go on (it actually went on last year, too, with Mr. Bob Barker as Grand Marshal). One thing's for sure, though -- with its huge U-shape route through Hollywood, attendees will want to arrive early (going Metro, which the parade backers are backing, is a wise idea).
And if you aren't attending the parade, but need to drive into or through Hollywood on Sunday, check out the map first to see if you'll need to rethink your plans. Plus the Jonas Brothers are at the Palladium on Sunday. Busy busy.
Hollywood's Santa Parade
Sunday, November 30, 5PM
Route: Hollywood Boulevard from Highland to Vine; down Vine to Sunset and back to Highland
