Hollywod Christmas Parade Discontinued
Harriet Steinberg
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A few weeks ago it was announced that the Hollywood Christmas Parade, which had been in the limelight annually since World War II, will be discontinued. Many political leaders of the city were dis 
appointed when they heard the news.
City Councilman Tom La Bonge, who organized the Hollywood area said that he used to see the parade since he was a child and a teenager. He said that he is hoping that there will be another event to replace this one.
Apparently there are others who feel the same way as Councilman La Bonge because a few days ago, a group of residents walked along Hollywood Blvd. dressed as Santa to rally support for bringing back the canceled Hollywood Christmas Parade. They shouted, "Save the Hollywood Christmas Parade!" They walked down a three-block march as tourists snapped photos and locals stared at them.
Organizer Greg Durfee said that this is a grass- root effort to get the community to launch a campaign that can save the parade. La Bonge feels that the Christmas parade added color and character to the city.
City Councilman, Eric Garcetti, who represents parts of Hollywood, said that he is anxious to learn more about save-the parade campaign. He feels that it won't be long when there will be another version of this Christmas event.
The reason for the parade to be discontinued is due to the rising cost and diminished revenues. Also, the attendance has been decreasing during the last few years.
The Holiday Parade has been a Chamber of Commerce activity for 75 years. Jeff Briggs, the chairman's board of directors said that this is a very difficult activity to give up. Business members of Chamber of Commerce helped support the parade through their dues. Last year there was a loss of about $100,000 in staging the 2006 parade. Financial leaders remarked that losses would be double that if a 2007 parade were held.
The parade in the past had cost about $1 million to produce. Most of the expenses were covered by television broadcast fees tied to a TV ad revenues, grandstand ticket sales and various sponsorships.
City Councilman Tom La Bonge, who organized the Hollywood area said that he used to see the parade since he was a child and a teenager. He said that he is hoping that there will be another event to replace this one.
Apparently there are others who feel the same way as Councilman La Bonge because a few days ago, a group of residents walked along Hollywood Blvd. dressed as Santa to rally support for bringing back the canceled Hollywood Christmas Parade. They shouted, "Save the Hollywood Christmas Parade!" They walked down a three-block march as tourists snapped photos and locals stared at them.
Organizer Greg Durfee said that this is a grass- root effort to get the community to launch a campaign that can save the parade. La Bonge feels that the Christmas parade added color and character to the city.
City Councilman, Eric Garcetti, who represents parts of Hollywood, said that he is anxious to learn more about save-the parade campaign. He feels that it won't be long when there will be another version of this Christmas event.
The reason for the parade to be discontinued is due to the rising cost and diminished revenues. Also, the attendance has been decreasing during the last few years.
The Holiday Parade has been a Chamber of Commerce activity for 75 years. Jeff Briggs, the chairman's board of directors said that this is a very difficult activity to give up. Business members of Chamber of Commerce helped support the parade through their dues. Last year there was a loss of about $100,000 in staging the 2006 parade. Financial leaders remarked that losses would be double that if a 2007 parade were held.
The parade in the past had cost about $1 million to produce. Most of the expenses were covered by television broadcast fees tied to a TV ad revenues, grandstand ticket sales and various sponsorships.