Rain doesn?t damper holiday parade

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Despite rain-soaked streets and overcast weather, Oakland put on its annual holiday parade to kick off the holiday season on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The 13th annual America?s Children Holiday Parade, which began in 2000, was held before 30,000 people lining the streets of Oakland to celebrate the holiday season and watch well-loved children characters and members of the city of Oakland travel in floats and cars, making their way down Broadway and 20th Street.

This event is particularly important to the San Francisco Bay Area because it is the most televised event in the area; PBS television affiliates and the American Forces Network broadcast this event worldwide and plan to continue its growth. Now it is an international success, with people traveling from all over to participate and join this parade.

Some special characters that joined the parade this year were Clifford the Big Red Dog, Curious George, the Cat in the Hat, Miss Oakland, and the Wild Things from ?Where the Wild Things Are.? Over 20 high school and junior high marching bands also participated from all over the area including Napa, Fremont, Antioch, and Concord.

Overall, the weather did not affect the lively spirit and success of this year?s parade. As a light rain began to fall towards the end of the parade, it heightened the spirits of the spectators and those in the parade alike.

For more information, visit the parade?s website: http://americas-holiday-parade

Source: http://www.laneytower.com/rain-doesn-t-damper-holiday-parade-1.2968496

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