Nov 30, 2008 12:38 pm US/Pacific
Better Be Nice: Santa's Coming To Hollywood Parade
HOLLYWOOD (CBS) ―
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The Hollywood Christmas Parade has been a tradition since 1928, when it
was called the "Santa Claus Lane Parade."
CBS
Santa Claus is coming to town Sunday for the annual Hollywood Santa Parade and Winterfest, which will include performances from Disney Channel actress and singer Demi Lovato.
The parade will begin at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue at 5 p.m. Winterfest, an all-day street festival, will start at 11 a.m.
Lovato, who co-stars on Disney's "Camp Rock" with the Jonas Brothers, will perform.
The parade will include marching bands, equestrian units and floats.
"This year's Hollywood holiday festivities will bring family entertainment to the boulevard in a fresh, exciting format," said City Council President Eric Garcetti.
"We are very pleased to announce we are working with Radio Disney and
the participation of some of today's hottest young talents like Demi Lovato. It's going to be a great way to start the holiday season."
The Hollywood Christmas Parade has been a tradition since 1928, when it
was called the "Santa Claus Lane Parade." Comedian Joe E. Brown was the first grand marshal in 1932, a role later filled by Bob Hope, Gene Autry and Jimmy Stewart. The parade was canceled in March 2007 by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which cited flagging attendance and financial problems for ending its long-time sponsorship of the event.
The Hollywood Santa Parade was created last year after the city of Los
Angeles agreed to sponsor it.
"I'm very happy to keep this great holiday tradition in Hollywood. The
Hollywood Santa Parade brings so much excitement to young and old. Long live the Hollywood Santa Parade," said City Councilman Tom LaBonge.
The on- and off-ramps of the southbound Hollywood (101) Freeway at
Highland Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard will be closed today from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., according to the California Department of Transportation. Parade organizers say that the northbound off-ramps at Highland and Cahuenga will also be closed from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
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