The city kicked off the holiday season Saturday evening with its
annual community Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony, which
went off without a hitch.
The city kicked off the holiday season Saturday evening with its annual community Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony, which went off without a hitch.
Braving the chilly weather, Gilroyans pulled together for a beloved holiday tradition of marching down a Christmas lights-decorated Monterey Street. The parade featured more than 50 groups that traversed Fourth to Sixth streets to the cheers, laughter and waves of fellow residents.
“Everyone loves performing in parades,” said Pearl Bass, a participant.
The event culminated in the lighting of the community Christmas tree, which had been quietly sitting downtown since Thanksgiving. It will stay lit through New Year’s Day.
After the ceremony, Santa sat at the Chamber of Commerce taking requests from children.
During the parade, volunteers handed out candy, and Sue’s Coffee kept spectators warm with hot chocolate and coffee.
Surprisingly, many of the antique stores that Monterey Street is known for were closed. The few that were open did not expect much of a business increase. But for storeowners, the crowd downtown for the parade was not about the extra business – at least, initially.
“[The parade] is intended to kick off the holidays,” said Dave Peoples of Garlic City Mercantile. “Does it increase my business? Probably not. Does it bring people into the store? Yes. Does it bring them back? Yes.”
It may not increase business, but the parade brings the community together, organizers said.
Schools and private groups alike turned out to raise awareness and funds for their various programs. A group of volunteers representing the Gilroy High/Christopher High Alliance Marching Band sold Christmas-themed chocolates to fundraise for their students, who were also marching in the parade.
“This is the first year the Gilroy High and Christopher High bands are marching together, so it’s a great opportunity for the kids,” said Irene Joven, one of the volunteers. “It really brings the community together.”
And this bringing together of the community creates a cohesive sense of pride, both in the city and in the youth who participate, she said.
From the high school marching bands to the local mariachi group to the Antonio Del Buono Elementary School violin program, Gilroy children made up the heart and soul of the parade, which was short enough to allow the children to strut their stuff without getting too tired.
Yet, the weather was another matter for many of them – especially for those playing instruments.
“It’s cold!” was a common refrain from the students of the Antonio Del Buono violin program, headed by Lori Franke. Despite the cold, they were still energetic, breaking into Christmas carols between bouts of violin playing.
“This is my third Christmas parade, but this is the best one ever, because I get to play with my friends,” said Shelly Valenta, one of the young violinists.
Valenta’s friend and violinist-in-arms, Sophia Lopez, agreed, “It’s my first (parade). I’m so happy we’re in this parade.”
