Christmas Parade to feature most bands ever

This year the Fallbrook Christmas Parade, scheduled for Saturday, December 4 with a start time of 5 p.m., will feature ten marching bands, the most ever for the town’s 29th annual yuletide procession. Parade chairman Roy Costello said it is guaranteed that the sounds of holiday music will be bigger than ever that night in the village.

“Marching bands really bring out the excitement and all the little kids get excited and that’s what’s really important,” said Costello, who has headed up the parade for eleven years for the sponsoring organization, the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce. “I’m also glad to see so many young people involved in music.”

Costello said each marching band will receive a participating trophy and a stipend to help offset some of the transportation expenses.

“This year, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is sponsoring the trophies for the bands,” said Costello.

Bands from the following are scheduled to appear in the parade: United States Marine Corps, Fallbrook Union High School, West Hills High School (Santee), Great Oak High School (Temecula), Santana High School (Santee), Dartmouth Middle School (Hemet), El Cajon Valley High School, Orange Glen High School (Escondido), Fallbrook Street School Drum Corps, and Christian High School (El Cajon).

Thus far, 135 entries have been filed for the parade, making it about the same size as recent years.

Several crowd favorites will return again this year to delight spectators. Equestrian entries, which always draw applause from the crowd, will return for more accolades.

“We will have equestrian groups of all types, included mounted law enforcement,” said Costello. “People just love horses, and Fallbrook has always been a rural area with a lot of horse enthusiasts.”

Equestrian entries include the Ramona Mountain Posse, Los Vallecitos Riders, the Sheriff’s mounted patrol, a unit from the Sons of the Union Veterans, and a horse-drawn carriage carrying members of CAST Productions.

In organizing the parade, Costello said the horses respond best if the equestrian groups are scattered throughout the lineup.

“We try to split them up where they are not next to any bands or real loud entries that might spook the horses; we do the best we can,” he said.

Those that enjoy those bright, shiny fire trucks will not be disappointed this year, as several will be in the parade as well as a good number of vintage models.

“I think all the people that have [vintage] fire trucks try to outdo each other,” said Costello, with a smile. “The crowd always likes the oldest and the shiniest ones.”

The Shriners will be bringing their Tin Lizzies, the fun little cars that zoom in all directions throughout the parade much to the delight of children, and Thunder, the popular mascot from the Lake Elsinore Storm baseball team, will once again be entertaining the crowd with his antics.

Cultural dancers will also provide dazzle to the parade. Two different Ballet Folklorico troupes will be performing as well as the Thrive West African dance group.

Given the wide variety in the lineup, this year’s parade is sure to be another good one. Costello said the reason he has put his time and energy for eleven years into the parade is because he wants it to be something children look forward to.

“If I put a smile on just one kid’s face, that makes it all worthwhile,” he said. “The parade has always been kind of special to me. Since I grew up here, I just feel it’s a tradition.”

Costello said the grand finale will, of course, be the great red ones – Santa and Mrs. Claus – who always reign high above the crowd on the Masonic Lodge float.

While the parade will provide a sparkling family entertainment opportunity from approximately 5 to 6:30 p.m., Costello encourages residents and their guests to spend time before and after the parade supporting local businesses during the holiday season.

“I hope people will come in and have a meal in town before the parade or afterward at one of our local restaurants,” he said. “It’s also a good time to do some Christmas shopping because many of the stores will be open late.”

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