Despite Rain, Holiday Parade Draws 4,000

Scattered rainfall did not put a damper on the 14th annual Granada Hills Holiday Parade on Sunday.

“I’m enjoying myself . . . like going to a football game in the rain,” Granada Hills resident Shirley Thomas said.

An estimated 4,000 people turned out for the holiday parade, said John Ciccarelli, founder and honorary chairman of the event.

Fred Roggin, local television sports anchor and this year’s grand marshal, quipped, “If it rains, I’m putting the [convertible] top up!”

Roggin, who lives in nearby Northridge, said he was honored that members of the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce, the parade’s sponsor, asked him to participate in this year’s festivities.

“This is a magnificent event and I really enjoy this sense of community,” Roggin said. “We lose that in Southern California and this event kind of ties it all together.”

Other celebrities participating in the parade included Josh Burne, from the TV sitcom “Step by Step,” Harley Rodriguez of “Sweet Valley High” and John Corbett, whose credits include “Northern Exposure” and “The Visitor.”

This year’s theme, “Holiday at the Movies,” was taken to heart by many of the marching bands. Patrick Henry Middle School’s band performed the “Star Wars” theme while Birmingham High School musicians countered with Darth Vadar music from “The Empire Strikes Back.”

Also reflecting the cinematic theme were the floats. Guide Dogs of America’s entry featured two dogs dressed in suits and dark sunglasses--one named “Bark” Gable and the other, “Woofy” Goldberg.

The holiday portion of this year’s theme was also honored as reindeer and participants dressed as elves, snowmen and Santa Claus marched down the two-mile parade route on Chatsworth Street.

The three-hour event concluded with the lighting of a 65-foot Christmas tree at the corner of Chatsworth Street and Zelzah Avenue.