CSULB President Andrew Jones, accompanied his wife Catherine Jones, and Elbee located in Belomont Shore on Dec. 6. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
Tens of thousands of attendees, including many families, lined up alongside Second Street in anticipation of festive, lively floats and parade participants.
In what has been a Long Beach holiday tradition, the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade returned for its 41st year on Dec. 6.
As per usual, Belmont Shore celebrated the holidays with local schools, businesses and organizations as the night cast upon the city. Even Long Beach State represented the university in the parade
The parade began heading east from Quincy Avenue to Bayshore Avenue. Then it proceeded to loop around.
“This is the 41st Belmont Shore Christmas Parade event and we have over 30,000 people here watching and this brings [the] community together,” Kristina Duggan, Long Beach District 3 Councilwoman, said, who was part of the parade.
This year’s theme was a pajama party in an attempt to break the world record for the largest gathering of people wearing two-piece pajamas in a single venue.
A post from the official Belmont Shore Instagram account announced a count of 15,736 pajamas; however, organizers did not hear back from Guinness World Records, despite applying twice, making the count unofficial.
CSULB Interim President Andrew Jones made an official appearance in his new position at the parade alongside his wife, Elizabeth Jones, both waving from a decorated convertible. Alongside the Jones couple in the car was The Beach’s popular mascot, Elbee, greeting all those in attendance.
Also present for the holiday magic was the LBSU men’s volleyball team waving to the crowd from on top of a bus.
CSULB’s cheer team made an appearance at the Belmont Shore parade, waving and dancing on Dec. 6. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
“I’m born and raised from Long Beach,” Nick MacRae, the newly announced men’s volleyball head coach, said. “I went to Wilson High School. I went to Long Beach State. I’m raising my three kids alongside my wife here in Long Beach. We come to the parade every year and it’s one of the greatest honors to be a part of the parade and walk with our entire community.”
He said being a head coach is the greatest in his profession because of the closeness to the community.
The CSULB Cheer Team had just participated in the Seal Beach Christmas Parade the day before, but they gleefully cheered their way through the streets.
“I can’t wait to be in the parade and see all the kids and, you know, cheer them on. It’s really exciting,” CSULB transfer student Kate Dean said prior to the start time of the festivity.
For the kids, both those participating in the event and those simply watching, the parade featured a moment of youth-inspired humor using the recently trending phrase “6-7.”
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson was playful with the phrase by making the accompanying gesture for those watching. He asked children what the phrase meant, but he did not receive an answer.
Some of the schools that made an appearance with their marching bands, cheerleaders and other groups were St. Anthony High School, Rogers Middle School and Cabrillo High School.
Dogs were a prominent feature of the parade, similar to last year, especially the corgis, which were associated with So Cal Corgi Nation.
The organization brings together corgi owners to foster community and host events.
“[Long Beach is] always celebrating holidays and it always brings out a huge crowd when they do events like this,” Megan Greenidge said, a Long Beach local and corgi owner.
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Mediterranean restaurant Open Sesame celebrated with a cheer group on Dec. 6 at Belmont Shore. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
The Grinch joined Cabrillos’ spirit squad on Dec. 6 at Belmont Shore. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
LBPD made an appearance during the parade, giving out police stickers on Dec. 6 at Belmont Shore. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
So Cal Corgi Nation, an organization based on Corgis, dressed the dogs up with the Christmas spirit on Dec. 6 at Belmont Shore. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
City of Auditor, Laura Doud, road across the parade route, decorated to fit the holiday mood on Dec. 6 at Belmont Shore. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
Cabrillo High School’s NJROTC led the march at Belmont Shore on Dec. 6. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
Performers marched through 2nd street on Dec. 6 at Belmont Shore. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
School marching bands played captivated music at Belmont Shore on Dec. 6. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
Multiple cars joined the parade, with most decorated to fit the holiday spirit on Dec. 6 at Belmont Shore. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current
Jason Green is a fourth-year journalism major entering his last year at CSULB. He transferred from Cypress College as a third-year student. Jason was previously a contributor and is now an Arts & Life assistant editor. He previously interned for EdSource, with two articles published under them. Jason plans on reporting on disabilities after graduation, as he is disabled himself.