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The Hollywood Christmas Parade Is A Welcome Tradition On The CW

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – (L-R) Dean Cain, Laura McKenzie, Erik Estrada, Elizabeth Stanton, and Montel … [+]

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Sometimes you can go home again, which for The CW came in the form of The 91^st Hollywood Christmas Parade. It aired on the broadcast network Friday, December 15.

A Tinseltown staple for over nine decades, The Hollywood Christmas Parade, in simple terms, is an indelibly American tradition. More specifically, it is a celebration of life, which is synonymous with love and support, and fun and escape. It is a gathering of like-minded individuals, all co-existing within a celebratory and charitable community spirit. It is a reminder, via The CW and producer Associated Television International, that tradition still matters (even following a reported shift in viewer preference and behavior). And, The Hollywood Christmas Parade is another reason why the linear broadcast model can still be beneficial.

Based on the fast affiliate ratings from Nielsen, an additional 164,000 viewers tuned in versus the network’s week-ago time period average. That was an increase of a hefty 43 percent.

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Historically…

The Hollywood Christmas parade began in 1928 under the name, The Santa Claus Lane Parade. Excluding 1942 to 1944, when World War II broke out, and during the pandemic in 2020, it has run every year. The parade was the idea of businessman Harry Blaine and the Hollywood Boulevard Association, and the plan at the inception was to draw more holiday season shoppers to the area, which was being promoted as the “world’s largest department store.”

The first Grand Marshal of The Hollywood Christmas Parade was veteran comedian Joe E. Brown in 1932.

In 1946, western star and singer Gene Autry was inspired to co-write the holiday classic Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) after riding his horse in the parade where crowds of spectators chanted those very words.

In 1978, the annual event was renamed The Hollywood Christmas Parade, which coincided with a shift to its scheduling from Thanksgiving Eve to the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

This year, the emphasis of the parade was widened in focus to communities in celebration of the unsung heroes that have made a positive impact.

“We thought it was more important than ever to emphasize the community spirit,” said Laura McKenzie, who co-hosted with Dean Cain, Erik Estrada, former talk show host Montel Williams, and Elizabeth Stanton (World’s Funniest Animals).

“These are particularly trying times and we must stand together and honor all the people who have committed acts of bravery or self-sacrifice, but have not been celebrated or recognized,” noted McKenzie. “This parade truly defines a unified spirit and positive hope for the future. It is a time to come together and simply celebrate.”

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Flash to the present, and the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, which benefited the Marine Toys for Tots charity, took place on Sunday, November 26 and ran for three miles along Hollywood Boulevard, Orange Street, Vine Street, and Sunset Boulevard. This year, U.S. Army Col. Paris D. Davis had the honor of being the Grand Marshal for Hollywood Christmas Parade.

“I am honored and very grateful to be chosen as Grand Marshal of the Hollywood Christmas Parade,” said Col. Paris D. Davis in a statement. “I am especially pleased that this wonderful annual tradition raises awareness of the important work that Marine Toys for Tots are doing to bring gifts and holiday cheer to those less fortunate.”

On March 3, 2023, Col. Davis received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June, 18 1965 during the Vietnam War when he led a group of South Vietnamese forces and American soldiers during a nighttime raid and rescued several injured soldiers on the battlefield (while suffering several gunshot wounds himself). The Medal of Honor, created during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, is our country’s highest military award, recognizing gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.

“The parade also brings goodwill to people from all walks of life throughout the world,” added Col. Davis. “It’s a good reminder about what America stands for, who we are, and all that we can accomplish when we come together.”

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 26: Colonel Paris D. Davis (C) rides in a car during the 91st … [+]

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Marine Toys for Tots

Founded in 1947, Marine Toys for Tots delivers, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming “responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens.” It began as a charitable event in Los Angeles and, in 2022, raised a reported (and unprecedented) 24.4 million toys, books and games, among other items, to a reported 9.9 million children.

In recent years, Marine Toys for Tots has expanded to support children and families in need throughout the year.

“We have been with The Hollywood Christmas Parade for about a decade now, and it is extremely beneficial for us in exposing our brand and our mission,” said General James B. Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “The Toys for Tots program started in Christmas of 1947 when a group of reserve marines in Los Angeles got together and decided they wanted to do something to help economically disadvantaged children and their community. Many of those children were war orphans. When the word got out, it started spreading and by 1948 almost all reserve units had a similar program.”

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In an interesting footnote, Bill Hendricks, who worked in the film industry, was the commander of the reserve unit that started Marine Toys for Tots. After he met the legendary Walt Disney and told him about the initiative behind the program, it was Disney who came up with the name Toys for Tots and the three little train cars in the logo.

There are two arms of the Marine Toys for Tots. The first is the Marine Core Reserves, who do the so-called “heavy lifting” during the holiday season. The second is the foundation that works year-round to oversee the logistics and the fundraising. Once General Laster took over the foundation in January 2020, the year-round literacy program was expanded to include the charity arm outside of just Christmas.

“Our new theme is a ‘year-round force for good,’ which includes a foster child program,” noted General Laster. “And The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a wonderful venue to educate and inform the American people and the public about what we do.”

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – Marines for Toys For Tots pose wit James B. Laster and Chris Cocks, CEO of … [+]

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The 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

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An estimated 5,000 participants were in attendance for the annual parade festivities to witness a roster of celebrities, parade performers, bands, cars, colorful floats, equestrians, and larger-than-life character balloons. Among the celebrities and dignitaries at the parade were Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass; singer Dwight Yoakum; the pop group Aly & AJ; actors Brandon Routh, Ming-Na Wen, Denise Richards, Chris Kattan, Deidre Hall, Taytana Ali, Ernie Hudson, Andrew Walker and Craig Robinson; and singer and dancer Paula Abdul, who was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year Award.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 26: Paula Abdul speaks during the 91st anniversary of the Hollywood … [+]

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“Change can be good, particularly for The CW, which under the new leadership of the Nexstar Media Group has shifted to a platform populated primarily with already produced international content,” noted Robert Russo, President and CEO of RNR Media Consulting. “But that is not to say you should forget tradition, which in the case of The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a reminder of the value of feel-good and inspirational programming content.”

The Hollywood Christmas Parade culminated with the appearance of the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus, and his reindeer, ushering in the holiday season. As always, it reminds us of the value and importance of the positive community spirit for support and encouragement. Kindness and helping one another is something to celebrate!