(Dec. 12, 2015) -- Tonight (Sat. Dec. 12) is Long Beach's Daisy Ave. Christmas Parade, the 62nd year for what is believed to be one of the only holiday parades in the country that travels down a neighborhood street, not a commercial corridor. It kicks off at 5:00 p.m. along Daisy Ave. (west of Magnolia Ave.) between Hill St. and PCH.
The Daisy Lane Christmas Parade is a Long Beach original. It stems from the 1953 efforts of area resident Gertrude Whittle, who convinced the Long Beach City Council and Council of Churches to help decorate the Daisy Ave. grass median as Christmas Village and nativity scene. Residents then began decorating their homes and the rest is history: Daisy Lane event grew to include multiple displays, entertainment nights, and a parade.
IThe annual event is now a collaborative effort of the 7th district Council office (Councilman Roberto Uranga) and the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance with the event overseen by Maria Norvell ("Godmother of the Daisy Ave. Christmas Parade.")
Councilman Uranga's office says there'll be ten newcomers in the parade this year: the American Cancer Society, Busy Little Bees Licensed Daycare, Greens Wrigley Boutique, Kiwanis Club of Bixby Knolls/North Long Beach, Leo's Mexican Grill, Long Beach Junior Roller Derby, Plaza Little League, U.S. Vets Inc., West Long Beach Little League, and the Long Beach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Our favorite moment each year is seeing the giant plastic chicken rolling down Daisy Ave., advertising "pollos vivos y frescos."
A couple of tips: dress warmly...and bring something to sit on.
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