Of all the Christmas events in San Diego, none capture the feel of the neighborhood quite like the Ocean Beach Christmas Parade. Now in its 32nd year, the event takes place on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 5:05 p.m. The theme for 2011 is “Surfer’s Paradise,” with participants once again heading out from Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and stretching west down Newport Avenue to Abbot Street, ending surfside at Veteran’s Plaza. The parade kicks off with the lighting of the Ocean Beach community Christmas tree at 5:04 p.m., the culmination of several days of activities celebrating the holidays in Ocean Beach. All of the Ocean Beach Town Council’s Tree Committee events benefit Ocean Beach families and seniors in need by way of the annual OB Food and Toy Drive. This year’s tree was donated by San Diego Safari Park (formerly the Wild Animal Park) and was cut Nov. 28, making its way the following morning to Veteran’s Plaza to be decorated by local schoolchildren and remain on display for the remainder of the holiday season. Today, Dec. 1, Santa arrives at the tree, where local students will decorate it from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. At 6:30 p.m., the Sunshine Co. Saloon will host an auction fundraiser for the OB Food and Toy Drive, with prizes provided by local businesses and sports teams. The community spirit extends to local merchants like the South Coast Surf Shop, which has incorporated the food and toy drive into its holiday window display. The season highlight, of course, will be the Dec. 3 holiday parade, which is expected to draw about 10,000 people. Kids of all ages will witness nearly 100 entries, including floats, the now-familiar geriatric surf team, marching bands and antique cars, as well as the traditional parade wrap-up with Santa Claus riding on a fire truck. Nighttime parades are rare, and this is the only such event in San Diego. Claudia Jack, of the Ocean Beach MainStreet Association, has played a key role in the organization and leadership of the OB Christmas Tree Festival since 1991. She said the logistics are more involved than for a daytime event, but added that the effort is worth it. “We have to have lighted barricades, security, plus our team of close to 100 volunteers,” Jack said. “You can’t do something like this without volunteers.” She said some of the volunteers have been involved for decades. “It’s like cooking. Volunteers are the secret ingredient. You have a recipe and if you don’t have all the ingredients, you can’t put it together,” Jack said. On the big day of Dec. 3, everything gets under way at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the Ocean Beach pier at the foot of Newport Avenue, where an action sports fun zone will be set up, along with kiddie rides and a stage. The entertainment kicks off with a DJ and skateboarding action, courtesy of OB Surf and Skate Shop. Live music will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. On hand will be Joint Custody, The Blonde Brothers, Shame and Scandal, Jet West and Country Rockin’ Rebels. This year, there will also be an expanded Ocean Beach Arts & Crafts Fair on the lawn at Veterans Plaza from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Santa making an appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests are encouraged to stay and enjoy Ocean Beach’s nightlife after the parade, with various venues offering unique, themed entertainment, including the Winston’s Beach Club’s Holidazed & Confused event — a Led Zeppelin tribute night. Ocean Beach MainStreet Association music coordinator Michael Head has been in charge of the music and the action-sports fun zone area at the pier, but also has the experience of previously riding on a parade float. He said participating musicians donate their time. “Not everyone I would like to perform is always available, but I try to have a mix of performers that appeals to all ages,” he said. “It’s not quite as big as the annual street fair, but it is a chance to play in front of good crowds down there in a really neat setting.” Even after two decades of involvement with the parade, food and toy drive, and the other holiday events in Ocean Beach, Jack said her favorite thing about the parade is that it never wavers. “It’s such a rewarding event,” Jack said. “Some of the kids who come to this event have very little. To see the sparkle in their eye is the greatest gift anyone could have.” Ocean Beach Holiday Parade takes place at 5:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 along Newport Avenue. All ages. Free. For more information on activities and holiday events, visit http://www.obtowncouncil.org/event/32nd-annual-ob-holiday-parade.