November 30, 2007

San Jose Holiday Parade and more celebrate the season

San Jose puts on one of the best holiday parades in the nation. Celebrating its 26th anniversary, the parade showcases giant helium balloons, exquisite floats, marching bands and celebrity guests for the enjoyment of children of all ages. The parade starts at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec.2, on W. Santa Clara Street to Market and ends at Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

Some happy elves take a break on the Founders’ Float at the 2006 San Jose Holiday Parade.

Ranked as one of the top 25 parades in the United States, the San Jose Holiday Parade was recognized with the Grand Pinnacle Award in 2006 as the top international event. The parade is a program of the city of San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, in cooperation with Christmas in the Park, Inc., and NBC 11.

Inflation Celebration
As good as the parade is, it is part of a package wrapped for holiday fun. The festivities begin on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 3 - 7 p.m. The public is invited to free performances by the Tales of the Seven Seas pirate stunt show, Disney Channel singer Monet, the Elite Scream Team, the San Jose Giants mascot, Gigante, and balloon artist Clifton Gold.
Inflation Celebration will preview three floats that will appear in the San Jose Holiday Parade including Paramount's Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Tales of the Seven Seas Shark Ship and the Christmas in the Park Holiday Train. It all takes place in downtown San Jose on Park Avenue adjacent to Market Street and next to the Tech Museum.

ParadeFest@Christmas in the Park
Entertainment from the San Jose Holiday Parade continues at ParadeFest@Christ-mas in the Park with the Wells Fargo Battle of the Bands awards presentation, an exclusive meet and greet with special guests from the parade and live entertainment.
 
The free event for the general public will be at Plaza de Cesar Chavez, located at Market Street between San Fernando and San Carlos Streets on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

ParadeFest@Christmas in the Park, a free auxiliary event in conjunction with the San Jose Holiday Parade, carries on the joy and excitement of the holidays following the parade.

Come experience a fun-filled day of live entertainment throughout the park. Your favorite parade guests including, up-and-coming performing-artist Monét from the

Disney Channel; and rock-n-roll canine-pal Raggs from the new PBS children's television show “Raggs” will give a live performance and exclusive meet and greet session.  New to ParadeFest this year, is an interactive-mobile unit based on Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies' new fantasy film "The Spiderwick Chronicles." Children will have the opportunity to get an insider's look into how modern movies are made by using computer generation to transform their own picture into their favorite Spiderwick character and even design a video game. 

The United States Marine Corps Band
Each year, the United States Marine Corps Band supports the San Jose Holiday Parade and the Toys For Tots program during the holiday season. The Band will put on a special performance will be from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 at Christmas in the Park Stage, located at Market Street between San Fernando and San Carlos Streets.

The members of the band are all combat-trained Marines and masters of their musical instruments. Watch the Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band marching in the parade on the morning of Dec. 2, 2007 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

The United States Marine Corps also encourage you to bring an unwrapped toy or donate funds to the Toy For Tots program that brings holiday cheer to less fortunate children during the holiday season.