Save the date(s) for holiday events coming in December
It’s hard to believe Christmas is just around the corner, and, just like the holiday season rolls around each year, so do a number of annual holiday celebrations in Long Beach.
One popular event is the Sea Santa Sail-a-Bration waterless boat parade hosted by the Long Beach Community Development Association and the City of Long Beach. This year’s event kicks off on Saturday, December 2, rolling throughout the downtown area at 5:30 p.m. and ending at the Harper McCaughan Town Green, where organizers say there will be plenty of fun things for the entire family to do, including pictures with Santa himself!
As for the parade, revelers can expect to see a procession of decked-out boats pulled on trailers, winding down the crowd-lined streets of the Friendly City for this year’s annual event.
Organizers recommend finding a place on the route before the parade begins. Boats will line up in the Long Beach High School parking lot and then travel south on Cleveland Avenue, take a right on Railroad Street, a left on Jeff Davis Avenue, then a left on 5th Street, followed by a left on Burke, ending by parking along the Harper McCaughan Town Green, where the festivities will continue.
After the parade, the annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree will take place at the Town Green. There will also be a Human Snow Globe, photos with Santa, a live snow playground and family activities and games on site. There will also be a parade award presentation at the Town Green.
Advance registration is required to participate in the parade. The deadline for applications, along with the $25 registration fee, is November 25. Applications received after this date will have a $50 registration fee.
Props must be covered or removed during the parade for safety reasons. Boats are allowed (and encouraged) to play Christmas music, but on-board music must be adjusted in volume so as not to overpower the music of other parade participants. Only Christmas music is allowed, and no obscene or vulgar music or speech should be played.
The maximum height, including riders, for a boat in the parade is fourteen feet, and the maximum length (including the tow vehicle) is sixty-five feet. Any second level riders must have adequate railings around them to protect against falling.
Beads may be thrown, but the City has requested that candy not be tossed from floats.
For more information or for an application form, visit LongBeachCDA.com.
The following weekend, the Long Beach Concert Choir Association will host its annual Christmas on the Avenue and Santa Breakfast on Saturday, December 9.
Christmas on the Avenue will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Harper McCaughan Town Green. There will be arts, crafts, food and live performances at this event. Admission to Christmas on the Avenue is free.
Beforehand, a Santa Breakfast will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Long Beach, located at 208 Pine Street. Santa will be on hand to share breakfast and chat with local kids, and he will also be available to take pictures.
