One might envision a gigantic spider crawling down Girard Street, its sparkling tinsel web trailing in the breeze, when they hear Stella Maris Academy’s idea for its float in this year’s “Legend of The Seasons” La Jolla Christmas Parade.
But ten of the school’s students, ranging from second to eighth grade, have worked nearly 40 hours to bring to life the Legend of the Christmas Spider and they aren’t willing to reveal all their secrets before this Sunday’s parade. They’re afraid someone might snatch their idea, of course, said Jody Assadian by phone with a laugh.
“As usual, we have gone above and beyond, and really gone outside of the box,” said Assadian, a parent and five-year member of the Stella Maris parade committee. “We definitely didn’t go with the traditional candy canes and snowflakes.”
She admitted that the parade’s annual float contest, which named last year’s Stella Maris entry “Most Original,” has stirred up a bit of rivalry between participants. But the camaraderie and teamwork generated are what make it so much fun for the kids, she said.
“This parade is what it’s all about,” she said. “We love it, and the crew we have is just great.”
Although she wouldn’t reveal exactly what the float entailed, Assadian said ideas and research for the float began in mid-October, when a committee of eight parents sat down to begin organizing the project. The legend, she said, is mainly about the spider’s web.
Several versions of the Legend of the Christmas Spider exist, and all tell the story of a mother or family who clean the home for Christmas day and banish all spiders to the attic.
The spiders find their way back to the Christmas tree and accidentally spread their webs all over its branches. Then, baby Jesus ” or in some accounts, Santa Claus ” arrives and blesses the webs, turning them to silver and gold. From that day on, the legend states, people have decorated their Christmas trees with tinsel.
Legends such as this one have become a holiday tradition, and so has the La Jolla Christmas Parade, a community celebration that has been held for the past 49 years, featuring floats, equestrians, marching bands and a holiday festival.
Mayor Jerry Sanders, U.S. Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-CA), San Diego City Council President Scott Peters, City Councilman Kevin Faulconer and City Attorney Michael Aguirre will make appearances at the event this Sunday, Dec. 3.
As parade chair and a trustee for the La Jolla Town Council, an organization that raises money to sponsor the parade each year, Michele Addington said the event’s goal is to bring the community together.
“The La Jolla Town Council encourages local groups to participate with us in these festivities,” Addington said. “My focus is getting the community groups together and trying to maximize the exposure of the local community.”
More than 70 volunteers have been working to organize the big day, and 40-plus local businesses, organizations and residents donated money and in-kind items to make it possible. The La Jolla Town Council is looking for additional volunteers for parade day to help direct traffic and inform motorists of road closures, Addington said.
A handful of parade floats, including Stella Maris Academy and All Hallows Academy, are registered to participate and will be judged by La Jolla Town Council trustees starting at 9 a.m. Sunday. The parade will go from 1:30 until 3:30 p.m., beginning at the corner of Girard and Kline streets.
Music-wise, Standley Middle School Marching Band, San Diego City Schools Elementary Band and the Cameron Highlanders Pipe Band will participate in the festivities, according to Addington.
Sponsored by the La Jolla YMCA, this year’s 29th annual Arts and Crafts Faire will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday along Silverado Street, between Ivanhoe and Girard streets, and along Herschel Street between Silverado and Wall streets. Handmade crafts by 100 artists will be on hand throughout the day, along with entertainment for adults and children.
A performance stage on the corner of Herschel and Silverado will feature acts, such as magician Loch David Crane, who has been a part of the La Jolla Parade for close to ten years. The magic show will consist of card and rope tricks and will involve audience volunteers, according to Crane.
In addition, the La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage will be serving coffee, cider and cookies to parade-goers directly following the event, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
In past years, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony took place on parade day, but this year, the La Jolla Rotary will hold the event at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
La Jolla Historical Society’s Wisteria Cottage is located at 780 Prospect St. For more information, call the society, (858) 459-5335. To learn more about the parade, contact the La Jolla Town Council, (858) 454-1444.
A detailed map of the parade and festival grounds, including which streets will be closed, is located in today’s special C-section of the Village News.