(Dec 2, 2006) -- With a balmy fall temp in the mid-60s, a large crowd lined Second Street from Livingston to Bayshore for Saturday's (Dec. 2) Belmont Shore Christmas Parade. LBReport.com provides extended photo coverage below.

We don't have a precise crowd count but the turnout looked like it could be the largest in recent years. The sidewalks on both sides of Second St. were packed...and the street median and a number of intersections were filled.

We thank Charter Cable for letting us share their TV lights as they taped the parade for replay on Charter Cable Channel 3 Sundays at 5 p.m. throughout December.

John Craig and Diane Ripley handled the anchor desk while Bruce MacRae (visible in several pix below) wielded a wireless mike to chat with celebrities and VIPs as they rode past. As is our practice, we pixeled images of children...but we left one untouched: a parade entrant who received more applause (at our location) than any elected official or corporate entry [details below].

One year ago, Mayoral-candidate Bob Foster rode with State Senator (and Foster supporter) Alan Lowenthal. Now he rides in his first Belmont Shore Christmas Parade as LB's Mayor. Mayor Foster urged parade-goers think of those in the armed forces during this holiday season.

3d district Councilman Gary DeLong rode in his first Belmont Shore Christmas Parade as a Councilmember alongside familymembers and guests.

2d district Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal in her first Christmas Parade as a Councilwoman had her son, Avi, in tow (literally).

4th district Councilman Patrick O'Donnell greeted the TV audience.

5th district Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske -- also in her first Christmas parade as Councilwoman -- greets interviewer Bruce MacRae.

7th district Councilwoman (who's also a South Coast Air Quality Management District boardmember) wished everyone clean air for Christmas and the coming year.

8th district Councilwoman Rae Gabelich, with her son Guy, and friends.

9th district Councilman Val Lerch (U.S. Coast Guard, retired) commands this vessel, bringing to mind the words of Civil War hero Admiral David Farragut: "Damn the Torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"

Grand Marshals were KOST/103.5 FM's morning drive team, Mark and Kim.

[Sorry we didn't spot the car's radio antenna in the shot, Kim.]

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R., HB-LB-PV), whose district includes Belmont Shore and the Port of LB, rode atop this Port boat. Visible astern are PoLB protocol officer, Diane Jacobus, and Harbor Commissioner Mario Cordero.

Yes, that's Gazettes Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Harry Saltzgaver at the wheel of his paper's parade entry.

L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe wished parade-goers and the TV audience the best for the season.

In foreground, Long Beach Community College Board of Trustees President Roberto Uranga and Board VP/Trustee (and LB attorney) Doug Otto.

LBCC Trustee (and former LB Councilman) Jeff Kellogg.

LB Pride entered this rainbow colored float.

Belmont Shore Business Association Executive Director Brooke Kennard is interviewed by Bruce MacRae. Charter Cable's coverage will air Sundays during December at 5:00 on LB cable channel 3.

We heard cheers and applause rising a block away for this parade participant: "Little Ally," a regular on KIIS-FM's Ryan Seacrest morning show, who drew the largest applause of anyone at our parade location.

Art Levine, Executive Producer/Host of Straight Talk rode with students from Rogers Middle School.

Friends of LB Animals' banner was carried by LB Animal Control officers.

Animal Control Services Officer Wesley Moore thought he was blocking our shot...until we told him he was our shot.

Friends of LB Animals president Shirley Vaughan.

The Downtown LB Lions Club brought a large glaucoma screening van, driven by president-elect Ed Barwick. The downtown LB Lions Club supplies free eye exams and glasses for needy children in the LB Unified School District...and supports the largest cornea bank west of the Mississippi (at USC).

The parade lasted for nearly two hours...and Second Street's shops and eateries did brisk business before and after.