For anyone who considers the holiday season to be overwrought with commercialism and advertising campaigns, Ocean Beach has the antidote in the form of its annual OB Christmas Parade. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the event draws huge crowds but still manages to retain a small-town charm. On Dec. 5, at 5:05 p.m. the festive procession once again heads west down Newport Avenue from Sunset Cliffs Boulevard to Abbot Street, ending at Veteran’s Plaza and the OB community Christmas tree, which arrived Tuesday. Ocean Beach has many fine holiday traditions, but nothing compares to the Christmas parade. Fun for all ages, the event is a homespun celebration of Ocean Beach, put together by a network of 60 volunteers. The holiday hoopla draws an estimated 10,000 people to the parade route each year. The whole celebration kicks off Saturday as Santa Claus officially lights the community’s 60-foot tree. Not much has changed for the OB Christmas parades in three decades — and organizers and participants agree that’s part of its appeal. “It’s really a homegrown parade with different parts of the community taking part,” said Claudia Jack, who has chaired the OB Town Council’s OB Christmas Tree Festival for the last 12 years. While the economy has curtailed entries and even scuttled the parades of other cities — including that of Pacific Beach — Jack sees Dec. 5 as on par with previous years in Ocean Beach. “We’ve been fortunate there haven’t been any problems,” said Jack. “People really love this parade. Right now we’re up to 75 entrants.” Jack said the event will include a mix of floats, marching bands, antique cars and surfers, as well as a Funzone for children In the OB Pier parking lot next to the tree. Children can also have their picture taken with Santa. Musician Chuck Schiele has participated in three parades and organized several floats. He said the event is the year’s highlight for civic activity. “I like the homespun nature of the whole thing,” Schiele said. “It has a sort of laid-back feel — a beach attitude — like, ‘It’s just us guys having a good time.’ But there’s a real magic inherent in this parade. It brings out community pride and makes the world feel special, if only for awhile.” Participants in the parade find sponsors or pay out of pocket for their entry. “It can be tough getting all the different elements together,” Schiele said. “The first year I did it, it was a hard road to make it to the parade. But that night, when I saw the faces of 50 little kids looking at our float in wonder, it was more than worth it. That’s the best part, seeing the happy faces of parade goers. The reaction from the kids is better than anything that happens onstage.” One of charms of the parade is that it’s one of the few in San Diego held at night, adding the magic of lights to the festivities. According to Jack, having a nighttime parade offers no real logistical problems and actually adds a certain charm to the night, particularly with the holiday lights in full bloom. “This is my favorite event of the year,” Jack said. “The great thing is to see the twinkle in the kids’ eyes as the lights go by them. It’s heartwarming.” For more information, visit www.oceanbeachsandiego.com.