ESCONDIDO: Christmas parade short on entries
Organizers struggle with late start, loss of Rose Bowl judges
By DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer | ∞
ESCONDIDO ---- Faced with a dramatically compressed schedule and some other hurdles, organizers of the city's annual Christmas parade said they are struggling to fill the Dec. 13 event with the usual number of bands and other entries.
Planning for the parade was delayed several weeks by concerns that organizers might not come up with $15,000 to cover a new security fee the city began charging this year.
And by the time the Rincon Indians agreed to cover the fee in late September, organizers said it was too late to book the usual Tournament of Roses Parade judges that help the Escondido event attract bands from across California.
Natali Galt, a member of the Escondido Jaycees and a co-chairwoman of the parade, said last week that between 30 and 40 applications had been received. The parade typically has between 100 and 120 entries, she said.
But Wally Gutierrez, a longtime Jaycees member and parade organizer, said that piles of applications typically come in during the final few weeks before the event.
However, Gutierrez said the lack of Rose Parade judges would probably reduce the number of bands this year from the typical eight to 10. Many bands come to Escondido specifically to earn qualifying points for the prestigious Jan. 1 parade in Pasadena.
Galt said organizers have been aggressively calling other bands from the area to fill the potential void. She said bands from Orange Glen and Escondido high schools have agreed to participate.
The deadline for entries is Friday.
For details, call (760) 822-8273 or go to www.escondidojaycees.org.
The theme of the parade will be "A Fairy Tale Christmas." That was also the theme for the 2007 parade, which the Police Department canceled because of rain. The parade, which is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m., will follow its traditional route along Broadway.
Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.
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Res wrote on Nov 9, 2008 5:22 PM:Not to worry. Olga will fix it.
The Union will Show wrote on Nov 9, 2008 9:05 PM:Dont worry, all the unions will be there to participate.
2 hurdles wrote on Nov 10, 2008 7:36 AM:economy and sanctuary city
Shiver wrote on Nov 10, 2008 11:53 AM:Why don't they have it at Kit Carson Park as suggested in, Letters to the Editor a few months ago?
Every time I read an article this Wally guy is involved in there are problems.Should he be replaced?
parade wrote on Nov 10, 2008 12:32 PM:Why bother... Short on funds. So don't have it.Why waste money they don't have. Who needs it????
JP downtown wrote on Nov 10, 2008 12:51 PM:to "Shiver": interesting observation-we've heard the same. hope the holiday parade continues to happen anyway, it's one of the few things remaining in esco that's a free, family oriented event.
Little Andy wrote on Nov 10, 2008 1:06 PM:Maybe I can help?? nah, I dont think so
Pink Power Ranger wrote on Nov 10, 2008 3:42 PM:If you have over $18 MILLION in the bank to give a wealthy hotel developer.
You should be able to pay the police service fees for a parade.
That Escondido went begging is disgusting.We have so many other issues of need in this City and we are involved with a developer that cannot get financing.If this hotel is such a good deal for Escondido then let the hotel chain pay for it.If, you know someone cannot get financing do you give them YOUR cash? Not in this life.
It's a sucker deal.All this so Gallo & Abed can be called "developers"...
Look around you ..see what they've developed....you need to march on City Hall in protest people.IT'S YOUR MONEY!
To Pink Power Ranger wrote on Nov 10, 2008 4:05 PM:I just figured out who you are.
Local wrote on Nov 11, 2008 3:45 AM:The hotel deal at this time, was a bad decision all around. A hotel in the right location, at the right time and without the current restrictions (gutting CCAE conference center) is still a good opportunity. Take a breath and make it a better plan. All things come to he who waits.
Dennis wrote on Nov 11, 2008 8:58 PM:hey "RES" isnt far off the beaten path I think the city should think up or hire out side floats groups( take bribs,give perks) or what ever it takes to make the christmas pardade a fincial success, if not get a new Olga. Please post this because I'm a resident of Escondido and I need my christmas parade and if Olga wants to be on my side, well I'm looking for action Thanks NCTIMES!! I want to see your float some day too !! Why not?? what could you add, your the one that ties our communitys together a lot, I think--- just me
to Dennis wrote on Nov 12, 2008 7:13 AM:First, take your medicine, then go buy yourself a dictionary.
What, pray tell, does Olga Diaz have to do with the lack of holiday parade entries? The answer is "NOTHING."
Get a grip! Take your political angst elsewhere.
to Dennis Part II wrote on Nov 12, 2008 7:16 AM:What exactly is a "brib?" Please enlighten us.
ODNG wrote on Nov 12, 2008 7:33 AM:'Dennis' = Wally
Response to blogger at 858pm wrote on Nov 12, 2008 9:44 AM:Wow, you sound angry and frustrated. Instead of making childish comments and pointing the blame at the "City" and "Olga" for your problems, why not do something positive, like donating your time or money to these events? Just an idea!
Pink Power Ranger wrote on Nov 15, 2008 10:30 AM:TO,
To Pink Power Ranger
[-] wrote on Nov 10, 2008 4:05 PM:I just figured out who you are.
***************************
SO?
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