With the holiday season upon us, Hollywood Boulevard was alight with festive cheer as the 92nd Hollywood Christmas Parade kicked off its annual celebration. Attracting tens of thousands of spectators, the event featured a bevy of attractions including 110 celebrities, 12 marching bands, iconic movie cars, along 13 large character balloons, as reported by ABC7. Crowds were treated to traditional Christmas carols, with bands energizing the route that spanned approximately 3.2 miles, starting from Orange Street and culminating back after looping via Vine and Sunset Boulevard.
Serving as this year's grand marshal, actor Jeremy Renner, known for his role as Hawkeye in the "Avengers" and his performances in "The Hurt Locker" and "The Town," expressed his delight and gratitude. "To be the grand marshal of this parade... to me this represents magic, represents love," Renner told FOX 11. Having made a remarkable recovery from a severe accident earlier in 2023, Renner accredited his faith in humanity's restoration to the support of fans, friends, and family. In his words, they made him "believe in something that I didn't know existed."
Continuing a long-standing tradition, this year's parade also upheld its philanthropic spirit; it supported the Marines Toys for Tots Program, marking 77 years of charitable giving. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation aims its efforts every year to distribute millions of toys to children in need, hoping to deliver not only gifts but also a message of hope during the holiday season.
In addition to the grand marshal, the parade featured other prominent figures like "Access Hollywood" host Mario Lopez, who was honored as the parade's Humanitarian of the Year. Also making an appearance were celebrities such as Denise Richards and Kate Linder, and former Lakers A.C. Green and Michael Cooper, as shared by ABC7. Pre-parade entertainments were delivered by performers such as singer Clay Aiken and cast members of "Wicked," setting the stage for a night to remember.
The historical significance of the event was palpable; commenced in 1928 originally as the "Santa Claus Lane Parade," it has evolved into an enduring symbol of the holiday spirit in Hollywood, only pausing during the World War II years and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The tape-delayed broadcast of the pageantry can be caught on The CW Network on December 15, as indicated by the organizers and noted by the Los Angeles Times.
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