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News & Events
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Oakland parade delights children Berenstain Bears, Cifford the Big Red Dog, and Santa Claus thrill East Bay youngsters Posted in the Oakland Tribune on Sunday, December 4, 2005 Written by Jason Dearen Oakland — A giant, winged snowman wearing ice skates floated down Broadway in downtown Oakland on Saturday. Behind it, Christmas trees tap-danced on the street. Then came the giant monkey in a spacesuit, another of the 13 enormous balloons that evoked oohs and aahs from thousands of people who ushered in the holiday season at the sixth annual Oakland Tribune Holiday Parade. "I came last year, and this year's parade is off the hook," said Sheila Jackson, 50, of Oakland. Jackson, who went with her granddaughter, said the parade has become a tradition to get into the holiday spirit. "It puts you in the mood, and it's good, clean fun," she said. The Oakland Tribune's parade is an event for children,and this year's entertainment had kids dancing in the streets and screaming with delight. Crowds were lined up eight or nine deep in some spots on the sidewalk. One wide-eyed boy screamed "Here they come! Here they come!" as the Oakland Police Motorcycle Drill Team drove their bikes in complicated geometric patterns down the street. The riders alternately thrilled and alarmed the kids, as they roared toward the crowd only to turn expertly away at the last moment. Next came the Oakland HOG Christmas Run, a sea of leatherclad bikers on Harley-Davidsons whose engines created a Christmas cacophony. But most of the day's entertainment was geared for the little ones. Grand marshals, the Berenstain Bears, presided over the event and had small children smiling and waving as they passed. Clifford the Big Red Dog made an appearance, as did Scooby Doo and the Powerpuff Girls. Seven-year-old Tiyana Renee Jackson bobbed her head and danced to the Reno High School Band. But her favorite part of the parade was, of course, Santa Claus. "I also liked the horses," she said with a huge smile. Jerry and Rosie Vargas of Hayward brought their 2-year-old, Zachary, to his first parade. Zachary liked Clifford and made barking sounds. His parents loved the drill teams, such as the Precision Drill Ministries, whose solid drumbeats and precision routines ramped up the crowd. For those who were not able to make it out to the parade, Peralta Colleges Television will air the entire parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. PCTV can be seen on cable Channel 27 in Alameda and Berkeley, and on Channel 28 in Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont. Oakland Tribune
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Related links: - Oakland Tribune |
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