Huge crowds for Lompoc Children’s Christmas Parade
Thousands of people in Lompoc bundled up and braved frigid temperatures Friday night to watch the annual Children’s Christmas Season Parade.
The theme of this years parade was “Christmas Trees and Memories” and judging by the turnout Friday night in downtown, it was easy to see they love a parade in Lompoc.
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Children, from across the community, were the stars of this show, a parade of holiday lights that got everybody into the spirit of the season.
“Yeah it does”, said parade watcher Heidi Cortez, “just seeing everybody, just seeing the holiday delights.”
“It’s a little early in the month, but yeah”, added Wyatt Shields who watched the parade with family and friends.
Dozens of entries in this year’s parade made their way down H Street to Ocean Avenue and Around the corner in Old Town in the heart of the city.
“Creativity is always something nice to look for”, said parade judge Valerie Laufer, “especially with the little kids floats, its always nice to see what they can come up with.”
Thousands of people lined the parade route under the watchful eye of Lompoc Police.
For many its an annual family tradition.
“Oh absolutely”, said Duane Brown who watched the parade with his wife Mary Ann, “years of tradition doing this with our kids in the marching bands and stuff and now we gotta continue on with the grandkids.”
“Its kind of a kid and family and friends gathering”, added parade watcher Deborah Lamberton, “we come just to be together to start the holiday season.”
For others who came out Friday night, its about civic pride.
“We’re here to support our community”, said Gina Quiroz who watched the parade with her son and daughter, “there’s lots of people who go without, we have a lot of homeless people.”
A good time was had by all.
“It’s Christmas”, said Violet Tyler who was there with her grandchildren Luke and Liam, “everything about Christmas is fun.”
Afterwards everyone gathered in Lompoc’s Centennial Square where winners of this year’s parade were announced, there was a visit from Santa Claus as well as the traditional lighting of the community Christmas tree.
