Marysville hosting Christmas parade, elves' run today
Downtown Marysville will be far more crowded than usual today, with elves, bikers and runners taking to the streets.
Highlighting the day of seasonal activities is the city's annual Christmas parade, which starts at 5 p.m. at Sixth and D streets and ends at Sixth and C streets. Santa Claus, of course, will make an appearance riding a fire engine escorted by 241 Girl Scouts.
“We're very excited. That's a lot of little girls,” said Shannon Jacobsen of the Marysville Police Department volunteer program, the parade organizer.
The Beale Air Force Base Color Guard is set to kick off the parade. Bands from several schools, including Marysville, Yuba City and Lindhurst high schools, will perform.
The judging stage will be set up on C Street. About 55 float entries have been registered, with plaques to be awarded for first, second and third places. All participating groups and organizations receive an appreciation certificate, Jacobsen said.
A first-time parade entry is also the tallest this year. Radiant Life Christian Church in Marysville will present the 20-foot-tall “An Old-Time Christian Celebration” float, featuring a depiction of the Nativity scene.
“It's the tallest one we've seen,” said Jacobsen. “We were wondering if it will fit under the (street) arches.”
The parade is held the first Saturday in December. Just how long the city has staged the event isn't clear.
“Quite frankly, we only know it's in excess of 30 years,” Jacobsen said.
Area merchants and organizations help pay for the parade, with “sponsorships” ranging from $75 to $1,500. The funds are split between the police volunteer program and defraying the costs of producing the parade.
Traffic into the city will be diverted from 5 to 8 p.m.
Earlier in the day, the annual Running of the Elves 5k walk/ run starts at 9 a.m. in front of the Bok Kai Temple at First and D streets. The event, in memory of accident victim Juan Angel Rodriguez, begins at 9 a.m. with registration at 8:15 a.m. Participants will go through Beckwourth Riverfront Park. Registration is $20 on the day of the event, or $10 for those 16 and under. Checks are payable to the Yuba College Foundation.
Also today: the 23rd annual Yuba/Sutter Toy Run. Participants will start in Colusa and ride through Yuba City and Marysville before arriving at the American Legion Hall, 5477 Feather River Blvd., Linda, about noon for a holiday meal served by Beale personnel. Those taking part are asked to bring a toy and canned food, but no stuffed animals unless they are sealed.
Today's weather is expected to cooperate, with sunny skies and temperatures near 60 degrees.
