I arrived around 5:00 p.m. to take some pictures. I also wanted to see how parade enthusiasts creatively “reserved” their viewing spots.
In the past, families would show up a day (or so) early and place chairs out on the sidewalk to “reserve” their favorite spot. Since the chairs, duct tape, tarps etc. clogged up the sidewalks , viewing guidelines were created. FYI, I don’t think the guidelines are being followed all that closely and that’s O.K.
This year the parade started at 6:00 p.m., which is an hour earlier than in prior years. I like the 6:00p.m. start because it allows younger families to stay through the entire parade before the young kids crash/get cranky. ( Note: the parade lasts about an hour.) It also helps the downtown restaurants and merchants.
Outside of a few large gaps between exhibits, the parade was excellent. It also appeared that attendance was up as well. See below for a few pictures from the evening.
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- Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade T minus 1 hour
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- Kid chairs are lined up for prime viewing
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- Don’t park on the parade route after 4:00 p.m., you will be towed
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- Pennisula Harmony Chorus gets the crowd in the holiday spirit
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- The parade always ends with Santa visiting downtown Los Altos
2 responses so far ↓
1 Pam Buda // Dec 1, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Hi Dave,
Looks like it was a fun evening–are you saying that people were duct-taping their chairs to the sidewalk? That’s a new one!
2 Dave Blockhus, Los Altos CA Real Estate Specialist, Coldwell Banker // Dec 15, 2009 at 11:03 am
Pam,
I didn’t see any. People used duct tape to mark out their “territory” for placement of their lawn chairs. Kind of funny!
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