Deck the halls with bulbs of garlic.
Gilroy’s annual Christmas parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Monterey Street between Seventh and Fourth streets. The event is largely sponsored by the Downtown Business Association, local businesses and is volunteer-run. Between 1,500 to 2,000 locals turned out for last year’s celebration, despite the rainy weather.
Pre-parade festivities will kick off around 2 p.m. This includes performances by several of the parade entries, followed by holiday and fundraiser booths that will be set up on Fifth Street at 3 p.m.
Some of the vendors will include South Valley and Ascencion Solorsano middle schools, the Gilroy Early College Academy and Dream Ranch Foundation, which will be offering $5 photo ops on a horse for all ages. Choirs and bands from Gilroy Unified School District will perform numbers on the main stage at the intersection of Monterey and Fifth streets.
The popular Doggie Dress-up contest, which is now in its third year, has become an official tradition. Registration for the outfitted canines takes place at 3 p.m. The contest and judging is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Winners of 1st, 2nd and 3rd place will take home trophies. Last year had 12 entries.
Following the parade, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will circle back to Fifth Street for a ceremonious lighting of the tree. After this, Santa will cozy up inside BookSmart Kids at 7490 Monterey St., where children can have their picture taken with old St. Nick. Last year, nearly 90 children lined up for this occasion.
Parade sponsors this year include Articulate Solutions, Cresco, Bonfante Collision Center, Dr. Eric Cohen, BookSmart Kids and Walgreens.
To read about last year’s extravaganza, click here:
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