By: Hayley Strahs

Local Editor

On Dec. 7, Los Gatos hosted its 68th Annual Holiday Parade through downtown. Featuring 167 different community groups, thousands of local residents set up chairs along the route to watch this beloved Bay Area tradition. Police blocked off parts of N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Main Street, and certain offshoot streets to secure the parade route and holding space for participants.

The Los Gatos Youth Park’s 2024 Youth Citizens of the Year, freshman Olivia Bernholz, sophomore Grace Murray, and juniors Bradley Hager and Johann Jacob ceremoniously kicked off the parade, with The Boy Scouts of America Troop 539 and Grand Marshall Jim Barth following close behind. In addition, the parade doubled as a competition for local middle school and high school marching bands. Subject to the determination of the Pacific Coast Judging Association, top-scoring bands received various cash prizes and trophies.

Multiple organizations within the Town of Los Gatos participated in the spectacle, including the Town Council, Fire and Police Departments, and the Chamber of Commerce. Many service groups with youth offshoots also marched, including the Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis, and Lions Club. In addition, the cheer team and marching band both represented LGHS during the parade. Freshman band member Rylan Calhoun undeniably enjoyed the parade this year, fondly remarking how “it wasn’t raining during the parade for the first [time in] three years.” 

Nearby dance groups such as West Valley Dance Company, Los Gatos Ballet, The Dance Company of Los Gatos, and more, performed various routines along the parade route, leaving spectacular impressions on passersby. New to the parade this year were carolers from Children’s Musical Theater San Jose. Moreover, the Los Gatos Rowing Club float stood out due to its large number of members and massive size. Other club sports teams from Los Gatos-Cupertino-Saratoga Girls’ Fastpitch Softball, Branham Hills Girls’ Softball, and Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation Competitive Cheer also took part. 

Groups from Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and YMCA Adventure Guides made up sixteen units, about ten percent of the parade. Former adventure guide and current junior Alexis Dorn fondly remarked, “It’s super cool seeing [YMCA Adventure Guides] in the parade and remembering [my experiences].” Overall, Dorn described the parade’s general essence as “spirited, happy, [and] joyful.”

The parade came to a close with a visit from Santa and his sleigh. In hours succeeding the event, closed downtown streets reopened, and Los Gatos was back to its normal busyness by mid-afternoon. Community participants and viewers left the parade both satisfied and full of holiday cheer.

(Source: LGS Recreation)