Grinch and Others May Steal Spotlight in Parade

Although the Hollywood Christmas Parade attracts spectators with a dazzling array of celebrities, classic cars and bands from across the nation, it’s the last float carrying Santa Claus that still receives the biggest cheers.

The 69th annual parade, which kicks off at 6 p.m. today, will offer the same catchy Christmas carols and soap opera stars as usual.

But this year, the magic of Santa will compete with the hype of Hollywood when Old St. Nick steers down Hollywood Boulevard behind dozens of costumed characters from the big and small screen, including the Grinch and Rugrats, plus contingents from “The Simpsons,” “Chicken Run” and “Bear in the Big Blue House.”

Eighteen-foot inflatable Dalmatians in honor of Disney’s “102 Dalmatians” will also glide along the 2.1-mile route, with cast members from “The Lion King” musical--now at the Pantages Theatre down the street--leading the way.

“We tried real hard to get a lot of the popular characters children see nowadays,” said Michel Papadaki, chairman of the parade. “We wanted more than just Santa Claus, so we added a Hollywood twist.”

The parade, which began in 1928 as a way to attract holiday shoppers to the area, brings in more than 1 million spectators. Although the two-hour event has undergone changes, and it was canceled three times during World War II, the theme remains intact: Christmas, celebrities and charity.

This year’s grand marshal, actor Dennis Hopper, selected Teach for America to receive proceeds from the sale of commemorative ornaments and the Hollywood Christmas Parade CD. The New York-based organization places recent college graduates as teachers in public schools that lack resources.

The junior grand marshal, actor Frankie Muniz from “Malcolm in the Middle,” will be joined by other cast members from the TV show, as well as actors from “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “NYPD Blue” and “Star Trek: Voyager.” “Survivor” stars Dirk Been, Joel Klug and Kelly Wiglesworth, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and members of the Harlem Globetrotters will also participate.

Several high school bands will march in the parade. Russell Robinson, a band teacher at L’Anse Creuse High School in Harrison Township, Mich., and 175 of his students sold pizza, fruit, flowers and candy during the past year to help raise some of the $175,000 needed for the trip.

More than 750 Los Angeles police officers from around the city have been assigned to patrol, according to Sgt. Mike Arminio of the Hollywood Division. Officers will patrol the parade area from 5 a.m. Sunday until 9 p.m.

The parade will be broadcast live on KCOP-TV Channel 13. Transportation officials recommend that parade watchers arrive early and that others avoid the area bound by Franklin, Western, Melrose and La Brea avenues.

MTA Metro Red Line trains will operate every 12 minutes to Hollywood from downtown Los Angeles and the Valley. After the parade, trains will depart about every 10 minutes until 10 p.m.

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69th Hollywood Christmas Parade

The annual Hollywood Christmas Parade begins Sunday at 6 p.m.

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Street Closures

12:01 a.m. Saturday: Hollywood Blvd. from Orange Dr. to Highland Ave. Orange Dr. from Hollywood Blvd. south to alley north of Hawthorn Ave. They reopen Monday at 6 a.m.

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Freeway Closures

4 p.m. Sunday: Hollywood Freeway (101) north- and southbound offramps at Cahuenga Blvd. and Highland Ave. They reopen Sunday at 11 p.m.