Pacoima’s Christmas Is Red, White and Blue

Santa minus reindeer arrived atop a red fire engine Saturday as dancers and prancers and lowrider “bouncers” entertained Pacoima residents in the town’s 34th annual Christmas Parade.

Themed “God Bless America” to honor community members serving in the armed forces, the parade drew more than 6,000 onlookers--the biggest ever--on the two-mile route along Van Nuys Boulevard, officials said.

“I think with what happened on Sept. 11, people see this as a chance for the community to come together and enjoy all the wonderful things about Pacoima,” parade chairwoman Maria Cano said.

About 20 bands and drill teams from Pacoima schools performed, among them the Pacoima Middle School Jazz Band, which struck up Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing” as jazz drummer Louie Bellson rode past in a vintage convertible. Bellson, who performed with such jazz icons as Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louie Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, was an honorary parade marshal.

“I love to see people come together like this,” Bellson said before the parade. “As long as we stay with peace and love and good music, we’ll come out winners.”

Street vendors wound their way up and down the sidewalks pushing carts loaded with roasting corn and sizzling bacon-wrapped hot dogs, onions and jalepenos. Youngsters blasted toy horns and an occasional shout of “Viva Pacoima” rose from the crowd.

Relaxing in a folding chair, Liz Ramos, 37, of Sylmar enjoyed the festivities with her family. Having grown up in Pacoima, she said she has been coming to the parade nearly all her life.

“I’ll always come to this. My roots are still here,” she said.