The Ocean Beach Holiday Parade will ring in the holiday season on the Peninsula this weekend, lighting up the faces of young and old alike. An estimated 7,000 people will line Newport Avenue for the annual parade, which starts Saturday, Dec. 4 at 5:05 p.m. OB time. “It definitely is a kickoff and it gets everybody in the spirit,” said parade organizer Claudia Jack. “We welcome anybody. We don’t care how old or young you are.” The theme for the 31st annual parade — which is hosted by the Ocean Beach Town Council’s Tree Committee — is “OB, Older and Better.” Don’t let the theme fool you, Jack said. A number of the floats already signed up will feature the youthful segment of Ocean Beach. “We’re a family-friendly parade and I think that a lot of neighborhood groups are coming in,” Jack said. “We are featuring a lot of children.” Sporting everything from musical bands to elaborate floats and silly costumes to geriatric surfers doing precision drills, the parade runs along Newport Avenue from Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to Abbott Street, culminating at the Ocean Beach Christmas Tree, which will be lit just prior to the parade at the foot of the pier. “A lot of people don’t realize that the tree at the end of the street — some families don’t even have a tree — that’s their tree,” Jack said. Nearly 100 floats rolled through Ocean Beach during last year’s parade and Jack said she expects about 80 entrants this year. The Tree Committee asks for a $30 donation for entrants to help offset permitting costs from the city. “It really puts the sparkle in the eyes of everybody,” Jack said. “We’re one of the only night parades of San Diego.” MORE FAMILY FUN
Before and after the parade, those looking for a good time can head to the Fun Zone, which will feature a whole day of carnival games, music and events. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Veterans Lawn area will host the OB Craft Fair for those looking to sneak in some holiday shopping. Also before the parade, Ocean Beach Surf & Skate will hold its sixth annual Holiday Skate Jam from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with an open contest from 1 to 4 p.m. When the parade wraps up, music and games will continue until 9:30 p.m., with a Photon night skateboarding demonstration lighting up the holiday. “That’s going to be fun, fun and more fun,” Jack said. For more information, call (619) 224-4906, or visit ww.oceanbeachsandiego.com.