LANCASTER – Hundreds lined The BLVD in downtown Lancaster Saturday morning, braving low temperatures, chilly wind gusts and even rain in order to catch a glimpse of community queens, marching bands, colorful floats and more at Lancaster’s annual Christmas/holiday parade.
The parade took place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Lancaster Boulevard, from 10th Street West to Division Street. Presented by the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the parade was themed “A Star-Spangled Holiday.”
“Today, December 7, 2013, we commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and we salute and remember the military men and woman who lost their lives that day as well as those who survived this infamous attack,” organizers stated in the parade booklet.
The “honorary” parade Grand Marshall was Eugene Lajeunesse, a United States Navy veteran who, at the age of 18, was aboard the USS Helena, a light cruiser that was docked at Pearl Harbor on the morning of the attack. Lajeunesse not only survived the Pearl Harbor attack, but also went on to serve in some of the biggest and most historic battles the Navy ever fought, including the battle of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and the Korean War.
In case you missed it, here are a few sights from this year’s parade!
![Community activist Dr. Miguel Coronado and his group, Agents of Change, took part in the parade. “The cold or the rain could not stop the good people of Lancaster and the whole Antelope Valley community from enjoying an amazing parade,” Coronado said. “Agents of Change is proud to be a part of the growth and diversity [of this] multicultural community, especially the traditional Christmas parade. It was simply magnificent.”](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Lancaster-Xmas-parade-2013-6.jpg)
[To view more than 100 pictures from the parade, visit our Facebook page.]
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PO MOM says
MY family and I stood there from start to finish, from the morning chill through the rain. My son was part of the parade and walked PROUD in his school uniform. MR Rizzo said “kids dressed up playing soldier” these kids are training hard, learning and are planning for their future. Who do you think you are dis crediting them and making such ugly comments.. STUPID MR Rizzo, why would you have such a issue with the color flag, you must have a issue with your personal man hood…if you have a issue on how the city held there parade maybe you should go to a city meeting and ask them to revise there requirments to be part of the parade for ignorant people like your self.. or maybe you should keep your stupid comments to your self.. HAVE A BLESSED DAY
Misty says
Dishonored
I agree with you 100%. As Frank R. also wrote, dogs, kids, rainbow flags!? Ridiculous!!
The main page showed all the community queens and kiddies?!
The only so called “military” was another bunch of kids.
What terrible lack of coverage for the importance of what the parade was to represent.
I’m sure glad my family and I skipped the parade.
Letlow says
YOU and your family skipped the parade because you didn’t think it important enough, then you get on here and complain about the “lack of coverage” for the importance of the parade????
If it was that important to you, you should have shifted your butt down there to see it in person. SMH!
As a matter of fact, to all of you complaining about the Pearl Harbor vet, did YOU brave the insanely cold weather to stand on the parade route and thank him for his service?? If not, then SHUT YOUR YAP!! SHAME ON YOU!
I was there! And yes, I smiled, waved and thanked him when he rolled by riding shotgun in a jeep. SMH! Unbelievable!!
Boscoe says
I have to agree. The usual highly professional AV Times dropped the ball. I also have to say that I am so disappointed that our Lancaster City has bowed to political correctness once again. Since I can remember, the parade was the “Christmas Parade”, but in recent years, including this year, it’s the “Holiday Parade”. I know it’s a mute argument but why do we always bow to political correctness and give up our own heritage? Merry Christmas everyone!
Letlow says
A Holiday Parade is more inclusive to all religions which make up the melting pot that is this city. What, you would prefer it be a Christmas Parade to represent Christians only and all other religions and spiritualities be damned?!?!?!
Even time I need a reminder of just how close-minded and hypocritical this Valley is, I come to this site and read the comments. You people never seem to let me down… SMH! Let me log off now before you people spoil my HOLIDAY cheer!
Dishonored says
I can’t believe that these photos didn’t show the most important honoree- the Grand Marshall
Mr. Eugene Lajeunesse, who is a retired veteran and one of the few remaining survivors of Pearl Harbor.What a shame!
I find it ironic that this was written about the parade :
“Today, December 7, 2013, we commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor and we salute and remember the military men and woman who lost their lives that day as well as those who survived this infamous attack.”
Along with this info about the esteemed, heroic and exemplary life of Mr. Lajeunesse:
“The “honorary” parade Grand Marshall was Eugene Lajeunesse, a United States Navy veteran who, at the age of 18, was aboard the USS Helena, a light cruiser that was docked at Pearl Harbor on the morning of the attack. Lajeunesse not only survived the Pearl Harbor attack, but also went on to serve in some of the biggest and most historic battles the Navy ever fought, including the battle of Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and the Korean War.”
…yet this page does not even show any photos of this epic hero!!
There sure are plenty of photos of “Miss” of some AV city, and “Queens”, along with some middle school cheerleaders, a dog, and such..all who sure to be around for years to come..yet no photo coverage of the man who should be honored Mr. Lajeunesse the “Honorary Grand Marshall”!!
Shame on this front page coverage. What a sin of omission!!
frank RIZZO says
I was thinking the exact same thing. Instead they thought it more appropriate to post picture of a dog, kids dressed up playing soldier and kids in a pick up truck with rainbow flags? Why the rainbow flags? No holiday theme just rainbow flags? I don’t understand why they are holding up rainbow flags? Were there only local queens from the area in this parade? I could not make the parade, I wish I could have been there.
Letlow says
Rainbow flags represent gay pride! Another person who couldn’t be bothered to support the parade by attending… SMH!
Stinger says
Well said, sir!
sikntired says
Mean while the a v press ran an excellent interview with Mr la jeunesse, including several photos.Worthwhile reading if you can get access to a copy.