THE 40TH ANNUAL BELMONT SHORE CHRISTMAS PARADE

By Gina Valencia

Is there anything cuter than a corgi waddling down the street while wearing a holiday sweater and felt reindeer antlers? How about a whole pack of corgis waddling in holiday sweaters! 

A Holiday Tradition

Aptly titled “A Holiday Tradition” as this year’s theme, the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade will be marching down 2nd Street for its 40th year. Started as a way to liven up the neighborhood, The Boathouse on the Bay restaurant owner, tireless organizer of the Big Bang on the Bay fireworks show, and parade founder, John Morris, remembers the days of yore when there was “nothing much to speak about” regarding 2nd street. 

As then-owner of Legends Restaurant and Sport Bar and former president of the Belmont Shore Business Association (BSBA), John, along with realtor/business owner and association member, Loree Scarborough, tried different tactics to promote local businesses and get people to their neck of the woods. 

“One day, I approached Loree and said, ‘Let’s do a Christmas parade,’” John recalled. That was in 1982, and except for 2020 and 2021, when the pandemic prevented large public gatherings, the parade has been growing stronger in popularity ever since. 

“That first year, the crowd (lining the sidewalks) was one deep, while we ran around with walkie-talkies and headsets,” John said. “Now, we have maybe about [20,000 to 40,000] people. There’s nothing better than seeing all those people enjoying themselves, running into (others) they haven’t seen in a while.”

The first year, John said, they pretty much “winged it.” Legends financed most of the parade and the BSBA called upon (or “blackmailed,” John joked) local businesses and vendors to participate and recruit parade entries. One inaugural entry was the Kazoo Band, which is exactly what it sounds like: a bunch of people, including John and Loree, blowing Christmas songs through kazoos. To commemorate the first parade, John and about 100 others will march in the Kazoo Band this year, heralding the 40th anniversary.  

Always held on the first Saturday evening in December, the Belmont Shore Christmas parade “is the second largest holiday parade in Southern California with over 100 entries,” according to Heather Kern, Executive Director of the BSBA. 

“The parade holds a special place in my heart,” she said. “I’ve been a part of it since participating as a Wilson Bruinette. Years later, my son walked in it with his preschool, and later as a drummer for the Wilson marching band.”

Just about every local high school marching band will play down 2nd street during this milestone year, along with adorable Scout troops, those cute festive corgis, and new this year, some famous TV cars like the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, KITT from Knight Rider and the Ninja Turtle Van, even a drum corps from Oregon (founded in Portland by Long Beach resident Greg Odell) that raised money to travel to participate in the parade.  

“It truly is a community parade,” John said. Aside from being a parade founder, John will be this year’s grand marshal. 

“We aim to recognize people that have contributed to Belmont Shore in significant ways (as our grand marshal),” Heather said. “For 40 years, this parade has been a holiday tradition that brings together generations of families,” she said.

Speaking of bringing generations together, the Santa Claus at the end of the parade will be Brian Kight, a Los Angeles County Fire Department captain and son of Mason Kight, who was the original and long-running Santa. 

Heather encourages spectators to make an evening of it by getting there early (chairs can be set up at 4pm) and having dinner at a local restaurant or doing some holiday shopping. For those who want to avoid the crowds, you can enjoy the parade at home through the BSBA website. This year, the parade has a special emcee, Long Beach native and television personality and game show host Bob Goen, known for his work on Entertainment Tonight, as well as host of the daytime Wheel of Fortune. 

The BSBA is always seeking parade entries, sponsors, and volunteers. Visit their website (belmontshore.org/paradefriend) to purchase a limited-edition parade t-shirt while helping the BSBA fundraise to keep this fun 908 holiday tradition going for at least another 40 years. 

“Watching the joy it brings everyone makes it all worthwhile,” Heather said. 

40TH BELMONT SHORE CHRISTMAS PARADE 

Saturday, December 7th, 2024

Parade/Live Stream 6pm-9pm, online at belmontshore.org

Free parking at beach lots for the evening

For info and details about the parade including the lineup: belmontshore.org/events