PARADING THROUGH PACOIMA HOLIDAYS EVENT DRAWS BIG CROWDS.Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer PACOIMA - Several thousand people turned out Saturday morning for the Pacoima Chamber of Commerce's 37th annual holiday parade and festival, celebrating the theme ``Holidays Around the World.'' Many said the parade is considered an indispensable part of the holiday season and a showcase for Pacoima pride. ``Life out here is rough,'' said Danny De Avila, 42, of Pacoima, whose daughter, Jennifer, 14, carried the American flag in the Pacoima Middle School color guard at the front of the procession. ``It's nice to have positive things going on. Families here have a hard time, but when the chips are down, the community really comes together.'' The parade route ran a mile along Van Nuys Boulevard, from Amboy Avenue to David Gonzales Park, where a community music festival continued into the afternoon and evening. Families lined up on both sides of the boulevard, setting out lawn chairs and blankets and arranging strollers. Vendors sold balloons, cotton candy, snacks and sizzling siz·zle intr.v. siz·zled, siz·zling, siz·zles 1. To make the hissing sound characteristic of frying fat. 2. To seethe with anger or indignation. 3. bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Children scrambled for candy canes thrown by parade participants, and more than one adult ducked as some of the treats were hurled with enthusiasm. Celebrities and politicians in the parade included the 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. , El Piolin de la maana from Spanish-language Radio la Nueva (101.9 FM); City Council President Alex Padilla Alex Padilla is a politician in California. He was elected as the State Senator for the 20th District of California in November 2006 and was inaugurated in early December. In order to enter the Senate he had to resign as Councilman for the 7th District on the Los Angeles City ; state Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys; Councilman Tony Cardenas Tony Cardenas served in the California State Assembly. In the Assembly, he had the powerful position of chair of the Budget Committee. He is now a Los Angeles City Councilman, representing the 6th district, which includes parts of the San Fernando Valley. ; Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez, D-Mission Hills; singer Jenny Rivera; and actor Danny Trejo. Spectators cheered as they recognized Trejo, whose career has included roles in such feature films as ``Con Air For other uses, see . “Cyrus The Virus” redirects here. For the professional wrestler who used this name, see Don Callis. “Garland Green” redirects here. For the singer, see Garland Green (musician). ,'' ``Heat'' and ``From Dusk Till Dawn.'' ``Oh, he's the one who always dies,'' said Victor Miguel Garcia, 32, of Pacoima. Garcia attended the parade with six of his nine brothers, their two sisters and a gaggle of nieces and nephews. The Garcia family has been coming to the parade for more than 30 years, said Manuel Garcia Manuel Garcia can refer to:
His sister, Rose Maria Garcia, 39, held daughter Sunny, 9 months, who wore a festive cap shaped like an extra-long Christmas stocking. ``The kids look forward to it every year,'' she said. ``They know it's always (early) in December, and that's all they talk about.'' Nely Billa, 17, of Pacoima, brought her 1-year-old daughter, Leslie, to see the parade, her first. ``I wanted her to see everything that was going on today,'' she said, as the infant, clad in a cheerful pink chenille che·nille n. 1. A soft tufted cord of silk, cotton, or worsted used in embroidery or for fringing. 2. Fabric made of this cord, commonly used for bedspreads or rugs. jacket, stared calmly at the crowds. ``She likes being around people.'' Riding high on a Wells Fargo Wells Fargo armored carriers of bullion. [Am. Hist.: Brewer Dictionary, 1147] See : Protectiveness Wells Fargo company that handled express service to western states; often robbed. [Am. Hist. Bank stagecoach stagecoach, heavy, closed vehicle on wheels, usually drawn by horses, formerly used to transport passengers and goods overland. Throughout the Middle Ages and until about the end of the 18th cent. pulled by four horses, Manny Manny may refer to: In nobility:
But David Smith Jr., 18, of Pacoima said his favorite part was seeing ``low riders'' and other specialty cars. ``I like how the crowd gets into it when the cars start hopping.'' Lisa M. Sodders, (818) 713-3663 lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) Esther Herrera, left, and her kids travel down Van Nuys Boulevard on Saturday, promoting the family auto business. (2) State Sen. Richard Alarcon rides down the parade route for the 37th annual Pacoima procession, which ended at David Gonzales Park. (3) A line of low riders travels up Van Nuys Boulevard for the yearly holiday celebration, which attracted thousands of onlookers. Matthew Simmons/Special to the Daily News |
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