Guadalupe Glistens with Annual Christmas Parade

“This year’s theme is ‘Peace, Love and Hope,’” said Ron Estabillo, president of the Guadalupe Kiwanis Club. “We’ve been doing this since 2004 and there’s always a lot of excitement and enthusiasm.”

The event kicks off at 4 p.m. with the Christmas Festival, which features food booths, on-stage music and dance performances, and a raffle benefitting children-in-need with new bicycles and other gifts. At 6 p.m. the Christmas Parade runs the route from 5th Street to 10th Street as onlookers enjoy floats, bands, auto club entries and even Santa atop a fire truck with candy canes in hand.

At the parade’s end, Guadalupe Mayor Lupe Alvarez will light the city Christmas tree and officially launch the holiday season.

“It’s always a good time and the toy drive raffle is particularly a fine cause,” Estabillo said.

Members of the public interested in hosting a festival booth or taking part in the parade may contact Shirley Cisneros at (805) 868-2077.