The holly-jolly man in red will ride down Garnet Avenue in a fire truck during the 31st annual Pacific Beach Holiday Parade on Dec. 11. Santa will be the anchor of the parade, which has nearly 100 entries of floats, bands, vehicles and more, said Andy Hanshaw, director of Discover Pacific Beach, the organization coordinating the event. “It celebrates the best of PB and beyond,” Hanshaw said. On Nov. 12, San Diego City Council President Pro Tem Kevin Faulconer announced the return of the holiday parade for 2010 after a lack of funds forced the event to be cancelled in 2009. Faulconer thanked community members for donating approximately $20,000 to fund the event this year. Hanshaw said the parade is possible thanks to the financial support of the Pacific Beach Community Foundation, the Pacific Beach Hospitality Task Force, the office of County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and Faulconer’s District 2 City Council office. Slater-Price and Faulconer both secured grant funding for the event. Local businesses and organizations also contributed funds, showcasing the true community spirit of Pacific Beach. “It [the parade] celebrates all of PB’s eclectic community,” Hanshaw said. SeaWorld, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are just a few of the entrants who will wave to the parade-watchers lining Garnet Avenue. “There’s great interest from all over the city and beyond,” Hanshaw said. School marching bands from as far away as Orange County have already entered the parade. San Diego Assistant Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman will be the grand marshal this year. The Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC), Mission Bay High School and Pacific Beach Middle School will also be participating. The parade will start at 2 p.m. at Ingraham Street and continue west down Garnet Avenue to Bayard Street. Spectators are welcome to bring chairs or blankets to the festive business district and enjoy the show. “We’re excited for what we think will be a stronger business and retail holiday season,” Hanshaw said. The theme of the parade is “Holiday Classics.” Float entrants are encouraged to decorate in the spirit of classic holiday movies, books or songs. “We’re hoping people can get creative and put their own beach flair on it,” Hanshaw said. Entrants will compete in categories such as best float, marching band, car, equestrian or best use of theme. For more information, visit www.pacificbeach.org.
