The annual Holiday Parade and Open House takes place Friday, Dec. 2. It’s an event looked forward to by residents and visitors alike each year.
This year Mike Castellucci, KUSI TV’s longtime news anchor and show host, will ride in the Holiday Parade as special guest of the Coronado Brewing Company. He will ride in their 1924 Model T beer truck, “Olive Oyl.”
"How could I possibly give all the reasons we love Coronado?” said Castellucci, while doing a recent live shoot on the island. “Just experience it - from a drive through the charming village, a movie at the newly restored Village Theater, to one of the finest beaches in the land. When we have visitors and want to impress them, it’s always a trip over the bridge to Coronado. I’m very excited about being in the Holiday Parade."
Castellucci does a popular morning show on KUSI TV called “The Office,” where he broadcasts live from various communities in San Diego County. He was recently in Coronado shooting at the Coronado Brewing Company and Village Theatre.
The Holiday Parade and Open House starts with Santa Claus’ arrival by ferryboat at the Coronado Ferry Landing at 3:20 p.m.
A parade follows, and then main street merchants keep their doors open late while traffic is diverted off of Coronado’s Orange Avenue to officially launch the Christmas season.
The Merchant Open House runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The parade begins at the Coronado Public Library and finishes at R.H. Dana Place, near the Hotel del Coronado. The parade begins at 6 p.m. and lasts about an hour before the streets are closed to traffic.
At 7 p.m. Santa rides in on the Coronado Fire Department’s hook-and-ladder fire truck. Traditionally he and the Mayor of Coronado flip a large switch to light the Rotary Tree (a 75-foot-tall pine at the center of historic downtown) followed by a Coronado Community Band concert.
In addition, Santa will visit with children at Lee Mather Co., 944 Orange Ave.
All the main street median trees are also lit for the holidays. More than any other event on the island, this first December Friday launching of the holiday season captures the unique essence of Coronado’s small town ambience.
From a news release by Joe Ditler of Part-Time PR.
