The 2021 Los Gatos Children’s Christmas/Holidays Parade will not be held this year due to Covid-19 but the traditional Holiday Tree Lighting is going ahead, along with a holiday Promenade.
The first parade was held in 1956. It’s always been a “rain or shine” event—but obviously, no one anticipated a pandemic.
The cancellation was announced in a letter posted on the LGS Recreation website. Parade organizers from the rec center, the town and Lions club all signed the letter that says, “The parade is about children and it is our collective responsibility to protect those that participate with family and friends, march with local groups and schools, and observe. In an abundance of caution and care for this community, it will not be possible (to) hold the parade with current and anticipated health and safety guidelines.”
The downtown parade attracts an estimated 15,000 participants and onlookers. It’s the town’s biggest holiday tradition and is always held on the first Saturday of December.
The good news is that the traditional Tree Lighting ceremony will be held Dec. 3 at the Town Plaza.
“The event is hosted by the town and we are determining appropriate, associated activities for families and attendees to stay Covid safe,” Assistant Town Manager Arn Andrews said in an email.
Instead of the parade, a holiday-themed Promenade is scheduled for Dec. 4 from 2-9pm. The event will mirror last summer’s Promenades, with N. Santa Cruz Avenue closed to vehicle traffic from Bachman Avenue to Main Street.
“It will really be a celebration of our retail merchants and community spirit,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Catherine Somers. “Santa will be making an appearance. Unfortunately, he can’t have personal visits because of safety restrictions, so we’re looking for creative ways for him to interact with children. The rec center is also planning to have giveaways for kids.”
A European-style arts and crafts fair is on tap, too, for the Promenade.
“The summer Promenades were so successful that it seemed logical to bring it back for the holidays,” Somers said. “People can shop, sip and stroll, and listen to live music.”
Beer, wine and hot chocolate will be for sale during the Promenade.
Los Gatos Jewelry owner Tom Tilney, who has worked every parade Saturday since 1989, hopes the Promenade will be good for business.
“It will give people a chance to shop the town and familiarize themselves with what’s available,” he said. “Things are coming back, so I just hired a full-time employee for the holidays.”
Black Cat Hats co-owner Janet Dashiell said her business partner “loves the parade,” because families come early to buy warm gloves and Santa hats.
Dashiell, however, takes a different view.
“What I don’t like is salons and restaurants don’t do much business on parade day because it’s not a time when people are going to go to a store that doesn’t cater to families,” Dashiell said. “It’s mid-afternoon by the time the parade is cleaned up on what is an important day for retailers. So, the Promenade is a great idea because you’re inspiring people to share fun, and dip in and out of stores.”
Sponsors are also hoping to attract traditional parade entertainers, including the Los Gatos High School Marching Band and the Fisher Middle School Choir.
Dancers from Los Gatos Ballet will perform excerpts from the Nutcracker.
More fun for kids starts Dec. 11, with LGS Recreation hosting Breakfast with Santa, the Super Secret Workshop and Zoom Storytimes with Santa.
“We are also offering our Gingerbread House, Ice Village: Sugar Cube Cottages and Igloo events, where families may participate in a holiday tradition with as much candy and decorations you can imagine and also without all the sugary mess at home,” LGS Recreation’s Emily Sprugasci said in an email.
Some Santa activities are already waitlisted, so Sprugasci encouraged families to sign up early at lgsrecreation.org.
Sprugasci and Promenade organizers stressed that safety is uppermost this holiday season.
“We want to stress that while the Promenade will have elements of the parade, we’re carefully planning safety features that will ensure everyone feels comfortable,” Somers said.
