Santas, Singers and Spectators Deck the Streets With Holiday Cheer

Santa Claus left the sled at home Saturday and appeared in Oxnard perched on a convertible, in Fillmore riding an old-fashioned train and in Ventura flying over the harbor in a helicopter.

With Christmas fewer than three weeks away, St. Nick was busy putting in appearances at parades, malls and holiday events throughout the county.

A record-breaking crowd estimated at more than 7,000 lined C Street in Oxnard on Saturday morning to watch 67 entries in the third annual Christmas parade.

“This is where people should be to celebrate the season and the community,” said a pleased Gary Blum, parade co-chairman and a downtown businessman.

Santa’s float broke down before the parade even started, but the indomitable St. Nick armed himself with a megaphone, climbed into a convertible and completed the nine-block route anyway.

The parade was by turns ethnic, eclectic and eccentric.

Paul Hull provided the eccentricity, trundling down the street in a brown easy chair on an electric cart under a pink and white umbrella. He was towing a small wagon carrying several packs of beer. The crowd howled and applauded at Hull, who looked to be a refugee from Pasadena’s irreverent Doo Dah Parade.

“It’s something different, that’s why I do this,” said Hull, who described himself as 74 going on 14 and still enjoying a two-beer-per-day dietary supplement. “It’s my last year for doing this. I’m getting too old.”

The eclectic mix included a Boy Scout leader dressed as a backpacking Santa and a squadron of shiny red and green tractors paying homage to Oxnard’s agricultural heritage.

The ethnicity pervaded the celebration in the predominantly Latino community, as lowrider bicyclists and several troupes of colorfully attired folk dancers drew loud cheers from the crowd, which in places stood five deep on sidewalks.

The seasonal spirit of giving and receiving extended to police as well. A youthful parade participant momentarily abandoned the route and hurriedly presented police motorcycle Officer Don Mulville with a Tootsie Roll and a quick “Merry Christmas!”

“I’m going to have to move my bike to the next block and get another one,” the surprised officer said.

And although the parade is only 3 years old--a children’s push ‘em, pull ‘em version was held four years ago--some spectators have already eagerly embraced the event as a customary part of the holiday season.

“This is the fourth year for us,” Mary Teran of Oxnard said as she watched five of her 10 grandchildren go by with plywood reindeer attached to their bicycles. “It’s really traditional.”

In Fillmore, more than 600 people took advantage Saturday of the initial seasonal runs of the Santa Claus Special excursion train.

Carolers and Santa joined riders for the thrice-daily weekend trips to a Christmas tree farm that has at least 150 fewer trees today than it did Friday, said train owner Dave Wilkinson.

“Santa trains are always very positive,” he said. “Kids just love them. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone gripe on one.”

Hundreds of people gathered in Fillmore on Saturday afternoon to watch floats, drill teams and bands march south on Central Avenue.

Thousands more clogged Ventura Harbor Village on Saturday evening to watch Santa fly over the water in a helicopter and signal the start of the procession of more than 30 light-laden vessels in the 20th annual Parade of Lights.

The grand marshal was former U.S. Rep. Robert J. Lagomarsino, for whom the Channel Islands National Park visitors center was recently renamed. Lagomarsino was instrumental in persuading Congress to designate the islands as a park.

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Other Holiday Events

Despite the flurry of activity Saturday, plenty more Christmas events are planned in the coming days. Here’s a rundown:

Today:

* A traditional tree-lighting ceremony with the Shiloh Madrigal Singers, O’Connor School of Irish Dance, Amadeus Boys & Girls Choirs and other entertainment begins at 2 p.m. outside City Hall, 799 Moorpark Ave., Moorpark.

* Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. at Westlake Lake, 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, in Westlake Village.

Saturday:

* The 35th annual Camarillo Family Christmas Parade begins at noon at the corner of Las Posas Road and Temple Avenue and heads west on Las Posas to Carmen Drive. Information: 482-1996.

* Holiday Artwalk in downtown Ventura will include ornament making and tree decorating at California and Santa Clara streets, carolers, Santa and self-guided tours of artist studios and galleries from 5 to 9 p.m. Information: 658-4768.

* Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Lights begins at 7 p.m. in Oxnard. Last year’s parade attracted about 50,000 people, so organizers suggest people arrive by 5 p.m. An art show and festival precede the parade. Information: 985-4852.