Montecito Association Third Annual Holiday Car Parade of Lights
It was indeed a magical day for our 3rd Annual Montecito Holiday Car Parade of Lights (and music!), after being blessed with excellent warm weather. The Holiday Parade Committee was Houghton Hyatt, Megan Orloff, and Andrea Newquist.
This was Hyatt’s first year doing the event and she shared:
“With all the twinkling lights and every smiling face along the route, it reminds us of our community’s spirit, resilience, and warmth. The Holiday Magic Parade is not just an event; it’s a cherished tradition that unites us, reminding us that, in the midst of the holiday season, we are bound by the magic of shared moments and the enduring spirit of this community.”
Orloff added: “In its third year, the Montecito Association’s Holiday Magic Car Parade drives the holiday spirit throughout the community, literally! There are only two entry requirements – (1) embrace the magic of string lights and holiday decorations, (2) bring your holiday spirit! Our more than 20 automobiles are brightly lit with colored lights and winter scenes, holiday music, friendly residents waving to all, and even features a special appearance by the Grinch himself! We started this in 2020 following the success of converting the July 4th annual parade to a car parade in light of the pandemic and found it’s a great and welcomed way to spread a little holiday cheer for Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa!”
Kids, families, pets, shoppers, dining peeps, local restaurants, and businesses all came out to greet the parade as it whooshed by, and at times got intertwined with regular traffic looking baffled at the parade cars.
Leading the way at 5 pm from East Valley Road was Sheriff’s Dept Lt. Butch Arnoldi with the Grinch that Stole Christmas. He was followed by Montecito Fire Department’s Scott Chapman; Matt Gunner fromSanta Barbara County Search and Rescue; Megan Orloff fromMontecito Association and Montecito Bank & Trust; Montecito AssociationExecutive Director Houghton Hyatt; Hands Across Montecito’s Tracey Singh; Laurel Barosh and Brian Finster of Cold Spring School; Adam McKaig and his many Adam’s Angels; Haley Carty; Dolores Gillmore with guests; Leslie Zemeckis; the Miramar Beach Resort Teamwith Rick Fidel on surreys; Dylan Conway as Santa for Little Mountain Capital; Hillcrest Security’s Andrew Hollingsworth; Pete Demetrulias; Montecito Water District’s Nick Kunstek; Montecito Sanitary District’s John Weigold; Woody Barrett; Dana Newquist and wife Andrea;and the Montecito Fire Department’s Engine crew with paramedic team.
The route went down East Valley Road at the Upper Village shops, down San Ysidro Road and onto Coast Village Road, Hot Springs and back to its starting point on East Valley Road. Thanks to the many parade sponsors and to everyone who came out for the parade and wishing our town a happy holiday and New Year!
For more of the live event, check out the videos on the MJ website and YouTube Channel.
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