Camarillo Sets Pace in Marking Christmas

The running joke at the Camarillo Christmas Parade on Saturday was that by the time Santa Claus made his way past spectators, it would already be Christmas.

The parade was that long.

And thousands of residents--lots of kids and parents and red wagons--crowded the sidewalks along Las Posas Road as costumed cows and gyrating belly dancers filed past during the city’s 36th annual holiday extravaganza.

“This is by far one of the longest parades I’ve ever seen,” said 31-year-old Scott Hughes, who took in the 2 1/2-hour spectacle from a cushioned lawn chair. “But the kids love it, so I guess the longer it is, the better.”

The floats and other parade entries, totaling more than 100, stretched from the beginning to the end of the two-mile parade route.

Included were 14 floats, 12 equestrian units, 21 marching bands and more than 30 automobiles.

Camarillo High School’s Scorpion marching band led the procession with a repertoire of holiday classics, played on tubas and trombones festooned with pine wreaths.

Following them were elected officials and the Camarillo Man of the Year, physician Richard Loft, who waved from the rumble seat of a polished 1940 Mercury.

Martial arts aficionados left a trail of wood splinters as they kicked and punched their way through countless boards; a legion of vintage tractors chugged forward; and Aaron, an elastic toddler from World Star Gymnastics, received wide applause for his tumbling prowess.

“This is really something,” commented Dawn Lehman to son Jacob as they watched a group of gauchos trot by on their well-coiffed steeds.

Begun in 1962, even before Camarillo was a city, the annual parade is a tradition in this quiet town of 58,000. Not only is it a popular way to usher in the holidays, but it is also a mark of city pride.

“That’s what I like so much about this,” said Pam Heber, who picnicked on fried chicken with her family near the Mission Road intersection. “It’s our parade.”

In addition to featuring dozens of local groups, the parade attracted bands and floats from as far as San Diego.

“I liked Bert,” said Jennifer Hunt, a shy 8-year-old, as “Sesame Street” characters passed out confections to young spectators. “He gave me candy.”

Snow White was also a favorite of hundreds of children who crowded the asphalt.

The annual parade ended, as it does every year, with wailing fire engines and a jocular Santa Claus seated in his sleigh, wishing all a happy holiday season.

“This is a lot of fun for us,” Heber said. “I helps put you in a holiday mood.”