Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti  (File photo)

The 88^th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Featuring Marine Toys for Tots, produced by Associated Television International and presented in association with The City of Los Angeles, will be led this year by Access Hollywood television icon, MARIO LOPEZ and his family, who will serve as Grand Marshals.

This year’s parade will make its 3.2 mile trek through the streets of Hollywood, CA at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2019.  The parade will be hosted by ERIK ESTRADA, LAURA MCKENZIE, DEAN CAIN, MONTEL WILLIAMS, with Co-Host ELIZABETH STANTON.

The 2019 Parade includes 17 Sponsors:

• Marine Toys For Tots which collects and distributes toys bringing annual holiday cheer to young children worldwide.
• The Salvation Army. Since 1878, The Salvation Army (founded in London in 1865) has brass bands in worldwide regions comprised of over 50,000 plus registered and growing volunteer Bandsmen linked to their charitable work.  Other types of bands and choral members also participate. These musicians share their talents in public places during the calendar year becoming more visible during Christmas which has become a part of seasonal customs, parades and immortalized in film and television.
• WellCare provides managed care services primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug plans for more than 6.3 million members across the country.
• Hanart Chinese Lantern Festival “Blooming Seasons,” starts November 21 at the Pomona Fairplex through January 5, 2020. See the art of handcrafted Chinese lantern making, dating back to 2,000 years ago, with a modern twist.  Each lantern is hand-crafted of modern materials and eco-friendly colored LED light bulbs, as well as visual moving parts to create larger-than-life imaginative displays.
• Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, CA, a non-profit dedicated to ocean conservation and education. Dave Bader, Director of Education, Spokesperson.
• Los Angeles Nebuta Marching Unit and Float inspired by the popular Nebuta Festival of Aomori Prefecture, one of the most famous festivals in Japan.
• Archibald Mouse. Meet Archibald the little mouse with a BIG heart…and join him on his BIG adventure as he teaches children how to chase their BIG dreams.
• Young Marines. The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, aged eight through the completion of high school.  The Young Marines promote mental, moral and physical development of its members.  The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
• The Way To Happiness. The Way To Happiness Foundation works closely with schools, businesses and governments in raising moral standards through the distribution of The Way To Happiness Booklet and programs.  Locally, the Foundation is working with the Hollywood Village project to create a safe, clean and beautiful Hollywood.
• Viva Panama Organization. VPO is a non-profit educational, cultural and community entity, with the mission of preserving, presenting and promoting the many manifestations of the Culture of Panama, through its music, dances, traditions, literature, paintings, arts & crafts and cuisine.
• Aurora Foundation
• Author Services, Inc.
• Galaxy Press
• Hollywood Central Park
• Closet World
• Bucca di Beppo
• Planet Hollywood

Mario Lopez (Courtesy photo)

Media Sponsors include:  The CW Network, Entertainment Tonight, Variety, KOST 103.5 FM and POPSTAR!

The 88^th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Featuring Marine Toys For Tots will culminate with the much-awaited arrival of Santa Claus and His Reindeer, ushering in the holiday season, accompanied by his United States Marine Corps escorts, Staff Sergeant Johan Rodriguez and Gunnery Sergeant Justin Block.

Thirteen award-winning bands from around the country will be featured in this year’s parade.  They include:

• Marine Band San Diego with U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard led by Drum Major, Gunnery Sergeant James Dempsey (“Hooray For Hollywood” and “Marine Hymn”) (San Diego, CA)
• Liberty High School Grenadier Band (Bethlehem, PA)
• Oak Park High School Marching Northmen (Kansas City, MO)
• East Coweta High School Marching Indians (Sharpsburg, GA)
• Pendleton Heights High School Marching Arabians (Pendleton, IN)
• Gadsden Elementary School District #32 Marching Band (San Luis, AZ)
• Lyman High School Marching Greyhounds Band (Longwood, FL)
• Korean American Youth Performing Artists (KAYPA) (Chino, CA)
• Riverview High School Kiltie Band (Sarasota, FL)
• PAVA World Traditional Korean Band (Los Angeles, CA)
• Porterville High School Panther Band (Porterville, CA)
• Joyful China (West Covina, CA and Beijing, China)
• Los Angeles Catholic Schools Band (Torrance, CA)

Dionne-Warwick (Courtesy photo)

Five Additional Performers in the Parade will include:  ROCK OF AGES; Street Performances by Stars from The CW’s Masters of IllusionÒMagician Farrell Dillon and Illusionist Mai Wynn; Gevorokian Dance Academy (Vartan and Siranosh Gevorkian, Artistic Directors; Sona Gevorkian, Choreographer) and 34^TH & PHUNK (Skilled Hip-Hop Dancers from across the country).

Eight larger than life inflatable character balloons will float down the streets of Hollywood on parade night including:  Toy Soldier (Sponsored by Aurora Foundation and Wrangled by U.S. Air Force); Cat In The Hat (Sponsored Closet World and Wrangled by Civil Air Patrol); Elfs (Sponsored Bucca di Beppo and Wrangled by Stunt Kids Association of Hollywood); Gingerbread Man (Sponsored Variety and Wrangled by American Legion Auxiliary); Pirate and Chest (Sponsored and Wrangled by Author Services, Inc. and Galaxy Press); Frosty The Snowman (Snow Globe) (Sponsored and Wrangled by Hollywood Central Park); Star/Bell/Four Ornaments (Sponsored by Planet Hollywood and Wrangled by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce).

Two Equestrian Units will be featured in this year’s parade, including:  Majestic Acres (Ramona, CA) and Broken Horn Ropers (Sponsored by The Broken Horn Saddlery of Baldwin Park, CA).

This year’s parade will also include 76 celebrities from film, television and stage and other VIPS, including:

• Mayor Eric Garcetti (42^nd and Current Mayor of Los Angeles, CA), Maya Juanita Garcetti and Friends
• Santa Claus, The Man of the Season, with United States Marine Corps Escorts Staff Sergeant Johan Rodriguez and Gunnery Sergeant Justin Block
• Lieutenant General Pete Osman, President and CEO of Marine Toys for Tots
• S. Marine Corps Color Guard (l to r) Sergeant Rober Lewis (Rifle), Sergeant Saunders Kashime (American Flag), Sergeant Sayeg Andrew (Marine Corps Flag), Sergeant Pelayo Juan (Rifle)
• Gunnery Sergeant James Dempsey (Drum Major, Marine Band San Diego)
• Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell (13^th District, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Council) with George Brauckman and Sean Starkey
• Councilmember David E. Ryu (4^th District, City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Council)
• Cast Members From “General Hospital” (Carolyn Henessy, Finola Hughes, Ian Buchanan,

Leslie Charleson and Kritina Wagner)

• Cast Members from “Military Makeover with Montel” airing on Lifetime (Lacey Evans, Art Edmonds – Co-Host, Jennifer Bertrand – Interior Designer, Ryan Stanley – Construction Manager, and Arash)
• Cast Members of “Schooled” (AJ Michalka, Tim Meadows, Brett Dier)
• Mark Wallengren (DJ on KOST 103.5 FM)
• Cast Member from The CW’s “Riverdale” (Marisol Nichols)
• Farrell Dillon and Mai Wynn, Stars of The CW’s Hit Primetime Television Show, “Masters of Illusion” hosted by Dean Cain returning of Season Seven in the Summer of 2020. And don’t miss “Masters of Illusion:  Christmas Magic,” airing on The CW on Wednesday, December 18^th at 9:00 p.m.
• Cast Members From “The Young and the Restless” (Kate Linder, Sean Carrigan and Daniel Goddard)
• Cast Members of “Good Girls” (Reno Wilson, Lidya Jewett, Isaiah Stannard, Mason Shea Joyce, Everleigh McDonnell, Braxton Bjerken and Scarlett Abinante)

• Jennifer Marshall from “Mysteries Decoded”
• Cast of “Charles in Charge” 35 Year Reunion (Scott Baio, Willie Aames, Jennifer Runyon Corman and Josie Davis)
• Shawn Wayans Presents “The Boo Crew” and Cast Members; Kim Wayans: (D-Roc, DeeDee, Money, Slim, Lissete, Chad, Soo Young, DJ and Gwenny) in Starline Van
• Sheléa (Frazier), Singer-Songwriter
• Panama Car: (Dr. Victor Grimaldo, President and CEO of Viva Panama)
• Cast Members of “The Bold & The Beautiful” (Lorenzo Lamas and Andrea Evans)
• Cast Members of “Days of Our Lives” (Judi Evans, Patrika Darbo and Brody Hutzler)
• WellCare, Parade Sponsor with actor Larry Mathews, Ritchie Petrie on “The Dick Van Dyke Show”
• Salvation Army (Divisional Youth Brass Band, Kettle Bug with celebrities Issac Ryan Brown (“Raven’s Home,” “Black-ish,” “The Stinky and Dirty Show”), Jason Maybaum (“Raven’s Home,” “Dancing With The Stars,” “Freaky Friday”) and Anneliese van der Pol (“Raven’s Home,” “That’s So Raven”), Kettle Walkers
• Aquarium of the Pacific with spokesperson Dave Bader and the Pacific Pals Puppet Show

Parade Hosts Erik Estrada and Laura Mckenzie (Courtesy photo)

A Pre-Parade All-Star Concert will kick-off the festivities at 5:00 p.m. in the streets of Hollywood, CA with the following performing artists:  BRET MICHAELS, GARY BEERS and TOBY RAND of ASHEN MOON with MIKALAH GORDON and BRANDON ROGERS; JESSE Y JOY; DAVID ARCHULETA; THE BAND OF MERRYMAKERS; JAMES MASLOW; DIONNE WARWICK; ACE YOUNG and DIANE DEGARMO; BANK OF HARMONY – BARBERSHOP QUARTET (Tyler, Jason, David and Steven);

PHIL VASSAR; BRANDON JENNER and SHELEA (FRAZIER).

Six Floats will be featured this year’s parade including:  Nebuta Marching Unit and Nebuta Float inspired by the popular Nebuta Festival of Aomori Prefecure, one of the largest and most famous festivals in all of Japan that dates back hundreds of years; The Way To Happiness with Marisol Nichols(The CW’s “Riverdale”); The Hanart Chinese Lantern Festival (Bees); Aquarium of the Pacific with spokesperson Dave Bader and the Pacific Pals Puppet Show; Panama Float (Queen of Calle Arriba de las Tables, Her Real Majesty Rosario Mayela Garcia Chanis) and Santa Claus and His Reindeer, ushering in the holiday season, accompanied by two United States Marine Corps escorts, Staff Sergeant Johan Rodriguez and Gunnery Sergeant Justin Block.

Six Hundred Fifty Five Characters and Novelties will be featured in this year’s parade, including:  United States Marine Corps Color Guard; 38 Movie Picture Cars Supplied by Nate Trumans’ Star Center, including the BATMOBILE (with BURT WARD, the original Robin in “Batman & Robin”); United States Air Force Color Guard; Netflix “Klause,” Air Force Mini Jets F-16 and P51 Mustang with Brigadier General Donna D. Shipton and Camp Ronald McDonald Kids; 501^st Legion, Rebel Legions and Mandelorion Mercs including 185 Costumed Characters (103 Troopers, 57 Rebels, 24 Mercs and One R2); Young Marines (413 Marching Marines); Salvation Army (Divisional Youth Brass Band, Kettle Bug with celebrities ISSAC RYAN BROWN (“Raven’s Home,” “Black-ish,” “The Stinky and Dirty Show”), JASON MAYBAUM (“Raven’s Home,” “Dancing With The Stars,” “Freaky Friday”) and ANNELIESE VAN DER POL (“Raven’s Home,” “That’s So Raven”), Kettle Walkers; Sister Cities Double Decker Bus and Archibald Mouse.

Street Closures:

The City of Los Angeles, Departments of Transportation (LADOT) and Police (LAPD) will be strictly enforcing the no-parking policy for the Hollywood Christmas Parade, which includes the citing and the impounding of parked vehicles on restricted streets.  Impounded vehicles will be towed to the Official Police Garage (OPG) at Hollywood Tow located at 1015 N. Mansfield Avenue.  Motorists are advised to check the OPG website at www.opglaviic.com to find their vehicle.  To retrieve impounded vehicles call either 311 or Hollywood Tow at (323) 466-8583.  The following locations and restrictions will be enforced to support the Hollywood Christmas Parade activities:

“Tow-Away No Stopping, 12 AM Saturday (11/30/19) to 6 AM Monday (12/2/19)”

• Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue & Orange Drive
• Orange Drive between Hollywood Boulevard & Hawthorn Avenue
• Sycamore Avenue between Hollywood Boulevard & Franklin Avenue

“Tow-Away No Stopping, 6 AM to Midnight, Sunday (12/1/19)”

• Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue & Orange Drive

“Tow-Away No Stopping, 11AM to Midnight, Sunday (12/1/19)”

• Cherokee Avenue between Hollywood Boulevard and Selma Avenue
• Hawthorn Avenue between La Brea Avenue & Highland Avenue
• Sunset Boulevard between Highland Avenue & La Brea Avenue
• De Longpre Avenue between Highland Avenue & La Brea Avenue
• Fountain Avenue between Highland Avenue & La Brea Avenue
• Lanewood Avenue between La Brea Avenue & Orange Drive
• El Cerrito Place between Franklin Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
• Sycamore Avenue between Sunset Boulevard and Fountain Avenue
• Sycamore Avenue between Franklin Avenue & Hawthorn Avenue
• Orange Drive between Franklin Avenue & Hollywood Boulevard
• Orange Drive between Hawthorn Avenue & Santa Monica Boulevard
• Mansfield Avenue between DeLongpre Avenue & Fountain Avenue

“Tow-Away No Stopping, 1 PM TO Midnight, Sunday (12/1/19)”

• Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue & Vine Street
• Vine Street between Hollywood Boulevard & Sunset Boulevard
• Sunset Boulevard between Vine Street & Highland Avenue
• Franklin Avenue between La Brea Avenue & Highland Avenue (not closed but restricted for parking)
• Santa Monica Blvd between West Hollywood City Limits & Gower Street
• Highland Avenue between Franklin Avenue & Sunset Boulevard
• Cahuenga Boulevard between Yucca Street & Hollywood Boulevard (West side of street only)
• Yucca Street between Gower Street & Argyle Street (North side of street only)

Freeway Closures: U.S. 101 Hollywood Freeway:

• Northbound and southbound off-ramps of Cahuenga Boulevard and Highland Avenue will close at 3:00 p.m., reopening at 10:00 p.m.

No Parking Sign Postings:

• On Tuesday, November 26, 2019, posting will begin on those streets that are designated “NO PARKING” for Saturday, November 30, 2019, Sunday, December 1, 2019 and Monday, December 2, 2019.

Please pay attention to restricted parking to streets adjacent to the parade for better traffic flow.

PARKING:

Parking is always a premium in Hollywood.  Parking is available at the Hollywood & Highland Shopping Complex.  Most lots are paid parking – please contact the individual lot for pricing.  Parade-watchers are urged to use public transit.  For more information please use Trip Planner at www.metro.net or call (323) GO-METRO

(323-466-3876).

GO METRO

One of the easiest ways to get to the parade via Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Vine or Hollywood/Highland.  Both stations get you directly onto the parade route.

From Downtown, be sure to take the Red Line towards NoHo (North Hollywood), NOT the Purple Line.

Free station parking is available at:  North Hollywood, Universal City / Studio City, Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa, East LA, West LA, Westwood, Santa Monica, Culver City, Norwalk, Lakewood, Redondo Beach and Long Beach.

One-Way Fare is $1.75.  A One-Day Pass is $7.00.  Fare payment with TAP cards includes two hours free transfers to Metro rail and bus in one direction (no roundtrips).  Remember to tap your own card before each boarding.

Plan your trip on Apple Maps, Google Transit, Metro Trip Planner or call (323) GO-METRO

(323-466-3876).  METRO staff and law enforcement personnel will be present to assist customers.

More About The Hollywood Christmas Parade:

 2019 marks the historic 88^th Anniversary of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, an American tradition.  The parade is produced by Associated Television International and presented in association with The City of Los Angeles on the streets of Hollywood, CA on Sunday, December 1, 2019.  The Pre-Parade Concert is from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  The Parade is from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

The live parade features 5,000 participants, and will be taped for multiple nationwide network television broadcasts to be aired during the holiday season.  The parade will travel along a 3.2 mile U-shaped route starting at Orange Street and Hollywood Boulevard traveling east on Hollywood Boulevard to Vine Street, turning south on Vine Street to Sunset Boulevard, and then turning west on Sunset Boulevard traveling back to Orange Street. Grandstand Seats for this year’s Parade are available Ticketmaster by calling 800-745-3000, or online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/hcp19  FREE Curbside Seating will be available along the parade route, starting at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, continuing along the rest of the parade route on Vine Street and Sunset Boulevard.

During the Red Carpet Arrivals Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell will present a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of The City of Los Angeles, to Grand Marshal Mario Lopez and His Family and a Certificate of Recognition will also be presented on behalf of the Hollywood Christmas Parade and The City of Los Angeles naming Bret Michaels as Humanitarian of the Year for his charity work with the Bret Michaels Life Rocks Foundation, which has sent many diabetic kids to camps to help them learn how to manage their diabetes as well as show them that there are other kids just like them.

The 88^th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade Supporting Marine Toys For Tots will premiere as a two-hour primetime special on The CW Network on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.  The parade, featuring Marine Toys for Tots program, which is essential in providing gifts to less fortunate children everywhere, will also air on the Hallmark Channel shortly after as well and on American Forces Network, to more than one million American servicemen and women worldwide.  The event will be presented and produced by Associated Television International, in association with The City of Los Angeles.

For further information, please call the 24/7 Hollywood Christmas Parade Hotline toll free at

1-833-PARADE1 (1-833-727-2331).  For highlights of past parades, and to learn more about this year’s 88^th Anniversary, please visit the parade’s official website at www.thehollywoodchristmasparade.org

Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/xmasparade/, https://twitter.com/HlywdChristmas and #HCP2019.