Pacific Beach’s annual holiday parade will go on.
“We are about halfway to our fundraising goal to raise $18,000 needed to stage the annual Pacific Beach Holiday Parade, set for Saturday, Dec. 12, starting at 1 p.m.,” said Sara Berns, executive director of Discover PB, the beach community’s Business Improvement District, which stages the affair.
Berns added Discover PB “has set aside savings to cover a gap in the parade fundraising for one year. But our hope is to fully fund this time-honored event so we can continue it throughout the years.”
Berns said the BID is currently selling “float blocks.”
“For anyone that donates $200, they receive a 2-foot by 4-foot block on the Discover PB float thanking them for their donation,” she said. She added that such donations have thus far been contributed by the PB Town Council, US Bank, PB Shore Club, Councilmember Lorie Zapf and “neighbors that have contributed to our GoFundMe account.
“Any little bit will help,” said Berns, directing donors to visit www.gofundme.com/PBHolidayParade or call Discover PB’s offices at (858) 273-3303.
Checks should be made payable to Discover Pacific Beach and be mailed to Discover PB, 1503 Garnet Ave., San Diego, CA 92109. Email or scan all signed and completed entry forms or questions to [email protected].
The Dec. 12 PB Holiday Parade will begin at 1 p.m. with a spirited procession of colorful floats, classic cars and the vibrant sounds of the Pacific Beach Middle and Mission Bay High school bands marching west down six blocks of Garnet Avenue from Haines to Cass streets. Spectators are encouraged to line the streets before the parade to get the best vantage point of the lively event, then stick around to enjoy the many amenities the beachside community has to offer.
The parade was established in 1977. The tradition, however, has experienced a couple setbacks over the years because of a lack of funding, forcing its cancellation in 2009, its revival in 2010 and its cancellation again in 2011.
Year-end festivities in PB will also include Christmas on Crystal Pier on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. as well as a communitywide window decorating contest.
Come join Santa on Crystal Pier Dec. 5 and get your picture taken with him. And don’t forget to bring a donation of supplies for local schools. The pier will be festooned with Christmas wreaths decorated by local community members and merchants.
The general public is encouraged to decorate and hang a wreath on the pier. Discover PB provides bare wreaths for $20 that can be customized. Wreaths will be exhibited on the pier through New Year’s. The wreaths are available at Discover PB’s offices at 1503 Garnet Ave. To be hung up on the pier, they must be decorated and returned to the offices by Friday, Dec. 4.
Discover PB will also judge the entrants and name a winner in the annual community window decorating contest. The winner will be featured in Beach & Bay Press. PB businesses willing to participate in the window dressing contest should call (858) 273-3303.
For more information, visit pacificbeach.org.