CHATSWORTH : Where Parade Dies, a Festival Is Born

Undaunted by the cancellation of its traditional annual holiday parade, the community of Chatsworth has rallied to host a special holiday festival Saturday in Mason Park.

“The spirit is not dead; it just needed to be aroused,” said Bill Powers, president of the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce. “The Grinch has not stolen Christmas--or Hanukkah either, for that matter.”

This year’s parade, a 13-year tradition, was canceled because the chamber was unable to find enough volunteers from the community, which was devastated by the Jan. 17 earthquake, Powers said. Three volunteers signed up to help organize the parade, he said, when it normally takes about 60 volunteers donating about 30 hours apiece.

Various groups have since been working on last-minute plans to organize a smaller event to replace the Chatsworth Holiday Parade, Powers said. The result is the Chatsworth Holiday Festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Special guests include Santa Claus, who will arrive at the park at 1:30 p.m. on a hook-and-ladder truck provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department, Powers said.

There will be a silent auction from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to benefit the children’s program at Mason Park, said Powers. There also will be special booths for arts and crafts. Music will be provided by Creation Unlimited.

Festival-goers are asked to bring a can of food, which will be donated to the needy, Powers said. At 2 p.m., there will be a special ceremony in which fair-goers will join hands and form a circle around the park, to promote community spirit, Powers said.

Anyone seeking further information should call the Mason Recreation Center at (818) 998-6377, the chamber at (818) 341-2428, or the Chatsworth Coordinating Council at (818) 360-0894 or (818) 882-3572.