CIVIC PRIDE HERITAGE PARADE RETURNS.Byline: Lisa Mascaro Staff Writer SAN FERNANDO San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. - It might have rained on the parade Sunday, but few in San Fernando seemed to mind as thousands turned out to salute the city's heroes and history in the first event of its kind in 20 years. The San Fernando Heritage Holiday and Parade returned to an appreciative populace, which welcomed the chance to celebrate the city's status as the oldest city in the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. and one now enjoying a renaissance. ``We call it 'San Fernando magic,''' said parade chairman Hector Martinez. ``That's how proud and passionate people are about this city.'' Resident Natalia Guzman braved the blistery blis·ter n. 1. a. A local swelling of the skin that contains watery fluid and is caused by burning or irritation. b. A similar swelling on a plant. 2. a. weather beneath umbrellas with her two daughters as the family watched their first parade in the 15 years they've lived in San Fernando. They spotted teachers from her son's school, Community Charter Middle School, and waved as the float passed by. And they cheered on the San Fernando Braves - the community youth football team and cheer squad. ``It's nice they have it,'' said daughter Nataly Guzman, a senior at San Fernando High School San Fernando High School, located in San Fernando, California, is a secondary school that is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District. The school colors are black and gold. All girl teams are referred to as Lady Tigers, all boy teams simply as Tigers. . ``It's hard to go to the big parade, so this is nice,'' said Natalia Guzman, with her 6-year-old Amanda. ``Get in the Christmas spirit - for the kids.'' The parade capped a weekend of free public events celebrating the city's heritage during the holiday season and comes as city leaders have been working to revitalize re·vi·tal·ize tr.v. re·vi·tal·ized, re·vi·tal·iz·ing, re·vi·tal·iz·es To impart new life or vigor to: plans to revitalize inner-city neighborhoods; tried to revitalize a flagging economy. the area with new developments and programs. Political leaders, youth groups, veterans, equestrians and others made their way along Brand Boulevard and other downtown streets despite the steady rain. Some 5,000 people turned out for the event, which featured comedian George Lopez
George C. Lopez (born April 23, 1961) is an American comedian and actor. He runs and produces his own show called George Lopez. as grand marshal Grand Marshal is a ceremonial, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "Marshal" with the first usage of the term "Grand Marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders. . Lopez wowed the crowd when he paused at the bandstand to say a few words about growing up in the area, organizers said. ``I think the highlight was not only George Lopez but our vets,'' said Martinez, noting the morning's news of the capture of Saddam Hussein Saddam Hussein (born April 28, 1937, Tikrit, Iraq—died Dec. 30, 2006, Baghdad) President of Iraq (1979–2003). He joined the Ba'th Party in 1957. Following participation in a failed attempt to assassinate Iraqi Pres. in Iraq. ``They were not going to allow the rain, the cold to interfere with saluting our troops.'' Standing beneath an umbrella, lifelong resident Leticia Corona said she came out to show support for her community. ``It's so diverse,'' said Corona, a California State University, Northridge CSUN offers a variety of programs leading to bachelor's degrees in 61 fields and master's degrees in 42 fields. The university has over 150,000 alumni. It's also home to a summer musical theater/theater program known as TADW (TeenAge Drama Workshop) that leads teenagers through an , graduate now working as an insurance adjustor. ``There's so much talent here. It's nice. People don't realize it. Stuff like this makes you realize there's a lot of talent, there's a lot going on here.'' Daniel Arreloa found a spot for his family along Brand Boulevard under umbrellas. ``It's fun,'' said the construction who has lived in the city for 15 years. ``This is the first time ... it's good.'' Lisa Mascaro, (818) 713-3761 lisa.mascaro(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) Lluvia Zazueta, Miss San Fernando, keeps dry as she waits for the San Fernando Heritage Holiday and Parade to start. (2) Members of the 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines make their way down Brand Boulevard as part of the San Fernando Heritage Holiday and Parade. Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion