Hollywood Christmas Parade returns Sunday after 2020 COVID cancellation
HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- After a hiatus in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Hollywood Christmas Parade returned Sunday night, moving through the streets of Tinseltown with its 89th edition to mark an unofficial start to the holiday season -- though one still being celebrated in the shadow of COVID.
Sheryl Underwood, a host on the daytime show "The Talk,'' served as grand marshal of the parade, which began at Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Street.
The parade, featured an estimated 5,000 participants, kicked off at 6 p.m., with Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain, Montel Williams and Elizabeth Stanton returning as hosts.
"For almost a century, the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade has been lifting the spirits of Angelenos from all walks of life,'' said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. After a difficult year and a half, I am excited Angelenos will get to enjoy this parade once again.''
In all, 61 celebrities and VIPS were scheduled to take part, including musicians Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. of The Fifth Dimension, and actors Danny Trejo, Tom Arnold and Lou Ferrigno, as well as Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow from early TV's "Leave It to Beaver.''
The parade also featured 11 character balloons -- each some four stories high -- plus equestrian acts and marching bands, including the U.S. Marine Corps Band out of San Diego; the Mira Costa High School Marching Band and Color Guard from Manhattan Beach; the PAVA World Traditional Korean Band from Los Angeles; the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums; and the Los Angeles Catholic Schools Band from Torrance.
Hollywood Christmas Parade keeping safety top of mind after deadly Wisconsin holiday tragedy
In addition, spectators got to see 49 movie and TV cars, including "Back to the Future'' DeLoreans, the "Ghostbusters'' Ecto-1 and "Smokey and the Bandit'' Trans-Am; and from TV, the "Munsters'' coach, the "Rockford Files'' Firebird and the "Magnum, P.I.'' Ferrari.
The Idaho Potato Truck Tour brought an 18-wheeler showing off a two-story-tall, two-ton spud. Of course, the parade concluded with an appearance by Santa Claus himself, along with his reindeer.
The parade has been held every year since 1928, except from 1942 to 1944 due to World War II -- and last year, when it was canceled because of the pandemic.
Officials last week urged spectators to enjoy this year's return -- but to remember to take precautions, as COVID has not gone away.
