Emma Wilson sat along Las Posas Avenue in Camarillo Saturday smiling broadly as a Camarillo Police Department car turned on its siren, kicking off the 50th annual Camarillo Christmas parade themed, ‘A Golden Christmas.'”I missed last year and I was sad about it,” said the Camarillo resident. “But not this year. Everything is so beautiful and alive,” she said.
The Camarillo Christmas Parade, an iconic part of the city’s history, kicked off with 119 entries from high school marching bands to the all-American twirlers baton corps and the Pleasant Valley Lion’s Club float featuring a giant-size barbecue grill manned by club members. Santa Claus, of course, brought up the rear as entry No. 119, wishing everyone Merry Christmas and throwing candy from his sleigh.
This year’s parade included three 30-foot inflatable balloons in the shape of a candy cane, a toy soldier and a snowman as well as the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District’s 15-foot gold star. The park district sponsors the annual parade.
