Floats Parade Through Downtown in 24th Annual Christmas Event

The streets of downtown Redlands were filled with thousands of spectators all bundled up and sipping on hot chocolate as the 24th annual Redlands Christmas Parade drove into town. Spectators were entertained by dozens of festive floats, classic cars and local bands on Dec. 14 after the parade was rescheduled from its original Dec. 7 date due to rain the previous weekend. The rescheduling meant a slighter less attendance record than in previous years, said event co-chair Dave Ahers, but the event still saw thousands lined up to see the floats, cars and entertainment. "Given the circumstances, it was a great event," said event chair Micheal Kuhn. "We finished maybe an hour earlier than we usually do but overall it was a perfect night with plenty of people." The free event, this year themed "Christmas Around the World," began around 6 p.m. in downtown, beginning on Citrus Avenue near the Redlands Mall and ending on Eureka and West State streets. Acting as this year's Grand Marshal was local celebrity Marth Green, who helped bring together thousands this year for holiday cheer. The Kiwanis Club of Redland -Noon, planned and hosted the event as they have done since 1992. The parade event was first introduced to the community in 1988 by the city and was taken over by Larry Statler, who was then the chairman of the Easter Parade. The event's original parade committee was made up of five members, including Statler of Statler's Jewelers, Tom Nelson of the Bootery, Linda Johnson and Danny Bachiu of Redlands Blue Print, and Dean Strella of the Redlands Daily Facts, according to a news release issued by the Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanis Club began overseeing the event in 1992 and just a few years later led the event's switch from a daytime event to a nighttime affair, organizers said. "A big reason was the businesses, especially in the downtown area, where it's a busy time of year," said Kuhn, who has been on the committee for over 10 years. "We wanted to bring people to the city before the parade and have them shop around and then enjoy the parade." "I think people also enjoy it because of the lights on the floats and it's cooler," added Ahers, who has been on the event committee for over 18 years. "It makes it a little more festive," This year’s sponsors included: Burgeson’s Heating and Air Conditioning, Redlands Jewelers, Sunstate Equipment, Tom Bell Chevrolet, Community Bank, Jean Showalter State Farm Insurance, Hatfield Buick and GMC, the Inland Empire 66ers, the Sun Newspaper, Homan and Stone Attorneys, Redlands Community Hospital, First California Bank, Alta Vista Credit Union, Tartan of Redlands, Oscar’s Mexican Restaurant, Craig and Sons, Party Plus and On Trac Garage Doors. Longtime sponsors include The Daily Facts, Redlands Blueprint and Krikorian Theaters, organizers said. The committee also thanked the city of Redlands and the Redlands police and fire departments, among countless businesses and volunteers, for helping make the 24th annual parade a success. Overall, organizers shared that the event is special for many reasons. "The evening event, the lights, the cooler weather and the overall hometown feeling makes it special," said Ahers, who noted that organizers are always on the lookout for additional interesting pieces to add to the parade. Next year the community will celebrate the 25th annual Christmas parade. For Kuhn, the parade was just one of many factors that make Redlands great. "It's one of those unique parts of Redlands," Kuhn said. "We have the Bike Classic and the Run Through Redlands and this. What I've enjoyed since I moved here in 1995 was the sense of community. I always tell people it's the most Midwestern city in the western United States."