The Grinch, Lowriders, Prancing Horses and Santa Show up for 56th Annual Pacoima Holiday Parade

The Grinch, Lowriders, Prancing Horses and Santa Show up for 56th Annual Pacoima Holiday Parade 

It was a chilly Saturday morning, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people in Pacoima from finding a good spot to watch local celebrities, marching bands, charros, and lots of cars – cruising low and slow along Van Nuys Boulevard for the popular parade.

Pacoima’s annual holiday parade, known for showcasing the pride it has in its grassroots community, celebrated its 56th year. 

Mayor Karen Bass as the grand marshal was in the first car leading the parade. 

As she waved at the crowd, one parade watcher shouted, “Take care of the city,” to which Bass responded, “I am … I will take care of your city … I have your back!”

It pleased the crowd to see actor Danny Trejo, who has roots in Pacoima, stop frequently to take photos with excited fans. When asked why he continues to live in the Northeast Valley, Trejo is quick to answer, “Where am I going to live … Hollywood? Why?” Trejo asked. “This is where I’m from.”

Another local success story, Sal Rodriguez – drummer for the band War – sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Rodriguez’s family has lived in the valley community for generations.

The crowd was also pleased to see members of the Chicano R&B band Tierra Legacy riding in the parade.

In addition to Bass, LA City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Assemblymember Luz Rivas and State Sen. Caroline Menjivar were also in the parade.

“I think it’s so important for our kids to have the memories with their families that honor this wonderful tradition,” Councilmember Rodriguez said. “And our community deserves the absolute best like any other zip code in the city of Los Angeles.”

The councilmember rode in an antique fire truck, while Menjivar opted instead to walk alongside her vehicle and hand out free goodies to the crowd. 

LA Mission College President Armida Ornelas wasn’t too far behind them, along with the school’s mascot – the eagle.

It wasn’t just public officials who made an appearance – The Grinch showed up a few times throughout the parade but was well behaved – spreading holiday cheer rather than stealing presents.

Proud parents all had their phones out taking videos and photos as the marching bands, cheerleaders and drill teams from area schools, including San Fernando High School, Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic School, Haddon STEAM Academy and PUC Community Charter Middle School performed. 

And, in sparkling cars of every shade and vintage, The Pachuco Car Club also traveled the parade route defying gravity and showing off the hydraulics and modifications they made to their rides. One lowrider demonstrated his skill by driving his car tilted on one side on two wheels.

Car clubs were followed by more than a dozen classic Volkswagen beetles and VW buses, also in different shades and styles. Some looked brand new as they glistened in the sun, while others showed their age with apparent wear and tear but were still trucking along all the same. A large, inflatable snowman hitched a ride on the top of one bus, while the Grinch rode in the back of a beetle.

Needing no introduction, the loud rumble of their engines could be heard blocks away, as bikers from Bosco’s Harley-Davidson Charity Foundation came on their rides too. Some dressed in Santa outfits while others added a bit of holiday flare to their bikes. 

There were a few surprises. This downhome parade didn’t limit itself to just land-based vehicles, two large green-colored boats were towed by a truck; one family waved to the crowd from atop the watercraft.

One of the biggest crowd pleasers, however, were the charros and their horses that would gracefully prance along the parade route. They kept time with live music that was played on a small platform being pulled by a truck.

One group of equestrians proudly carried four flags as they made their way up the street: the U.S. flag, the Mexican flag, the California state flag and the flag representing the Sylmar Horse Man in Action Coalition.

And last, but never least, the jolly man himself, Santa Claus, rounded out the parade as he rode in a sleigh, though this one bore the insignia and black and white color scheme of an LAPD cruiser. 

Although it wasn’t the traditional red sleigh he’s typically seen riding in, his cheerful disposition wasn’t diminished as he spread holiday cheer to the hundreds of families he passed by.