74th annual Victorville Christmas Parade brings holiday cheer
Back in the ‘40s, when gasoline averaged 25 cents per gallon, Victor Valley residents welcomed the holiday season by watching Victorville’s first Christmas Parade.
The holiday tradition continued Saturday when the 74th annual Victorville Christmas Parade rolled down Seventh Street with plenty of floats, marching bands, vintage cars, community groups and a visit from Santa Claus.
The “Healthcare Heroes” themed Christmas parade honored medical workers who cared for patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers said.
Last year’s edition of the Victorville Christmas parade was canceled due to California's COVID-19 requirements and restrictions.
Hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Victorville, the nearly 1.5-mile parade began at La Paz Drive and Seventh Street and traveled north on Seventh Street toward Forrest Avenue in downtown Victorville.
City employees and San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies told the Daily Press they estimated the crowd at nearly 4,000 people.
Bryan and Maria Archila of Victorville watched the parade while sitting in their minivan, which was parked at the closed entrance to the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds on Seventh Street.
“Our kids are older and gone, but we still love coming to the parade,” said Bryan Archila, 56. “We love the marching bands, the smiling kids and of course Santa Claus. It’s the perfect event to get you excited for Christmas.”
Parade participants included members of the City Council, including Mayor Debra Jones, who stood on the sidestep of her red 1936 Chevy Coupe while her husband, Gene, drove.
“The Christmas parade is the spirit of Victorville coming alive,” Jones said. “It’s a time when the entire community can come out and celebrate the holiday season.”
Based on the cheer of the crowd, a few parade favorites included dancers from The Talent Planet Dance Studio in Hesperia, who wore red holiday costumes and twirled giant candy canes.
The Victor Valley High School Jackrabbit cheerleaders also drew applause as the team wore red Santa hats and waved green and white pom poms.
Several Grinch characters, made famous from the children's book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss, rode in vehicles or strolled along the parade route, taking selfies and shaking hands.
Councilwoman reflects on ‘70s parade
Riding a blue Toyota SUV, Councilwoman Elizabeth “Liz” Becerra, 56, a former public works supervisor for the city, smiled as she waved to parade-goers.
“This is the first time participating in the parade in over 44 years,” Becerra said. “The last time I was in the parade was in the 70s, back when I was part of the C.C. of E Drill Team.”
The C.C. of E or Coordinating Council of Education Club was an “all Mexican girls” organization designed to help youth in the Victor Valley, according to the Daily Press.
Becerra recalled when the Christmas parade route traveled nearly a half-mile from the former Victor Valley Junior High to Forest Park on D Street.
“After the parade, everybody would gather at Forest Park to eat, talk and have fun,” Becerra said. “Those were the days when we were a community, back when we were unified like one big family.”
Councilwoman Becerra said during her nearly 35-year career with the city, she often helped clean up the streets after the parade.
“Whether I’m in the parade or cleaning up after, I still represent the people of our city,” Becerra said. “I’m proud to say Victorville is my home.”
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Instagram @RenegadeReporter and Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville Christmas Parade brings holiday cheer
