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Volunteering or Participating in the Parade Volunteer to be a member of Santa’s Squad and help make the 26th annual San Jose Holiday Parade the best one yet! It’s not too late to join the fun of the parade’s tradition. Join Santa’s Squad and have a chance to carry a giant helium balloon in the parade, dress in costume to greet parade-goers, be the official escort of parade units down the parade route or more! If you are interested in volunteering for the parade as a member of Santa’s Squad, and would like more information about parade volunteer opportunities, please contact Nicole Fodran at (408)793-4170 or by email at Nicole.fodran@sanjoseca.gov. Download the parade volunteer information below to join the fun and be a member of Santa’s Squad. Applications may be sent in via fax: (408) 292-6435 or mailed to: Volunteer Information Packet (PDF) |
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One Magical Morning A veteran-parade volunteer’s experience from the San Jose Holiday Parade I take a sip of my coffee to warm up as a chilly breeze blows through the tall buildings of Downtown San José. I notice the volunteer sign-in station off to my right, but decide to first take a quick stroll in the opposite direction to catch a glimpse of the preparations for today’s extraordinary event. It’s 5:30 a.m. and I am on Santa Clara Street in Downtown San José, ready to volunteer for the December 4th, 2005 San Jose Holiday Parade where this year the theme is “Embrace the Magic.” There are three hours remaining before the parade’s step off time, yet many of the parade staff members look as though they have been up for hours. Staff and volunteers alike are scurrying around eager to organize balloon handler groups, distribute instructions to thousands of band members, and attend to last minute parade details. This year, I have the privilege of volunteering as a balloon handler, my favorite volunteer position yet. There is something remarkable about working as a team, with the rest of my group, to maneuver that massive helium balloon down the city streets between high-rise buildings and the 120,000 spectators in attendance. With responsibilities like that of a single balloon handler, it is no wonder that 560 volunteers are on hand here today to help with such a colossal production. I spot several helium balloons in the distance and wonder which one of the 11 character balloons I will be responsible for that day. Could it be Hello Kitty? Or Garfield? Or “never fear,” maybe it will be Underdog . . . I will just have to wait and see! No matter which balloon I have, I can’t wait to march down the parade route with it, just to watch the children cheer for their favorite character. I may only be one single balloon handler, but I sure feel like a super star as I parade past the ecstatic crowd. Across the street from me, I spot a group of beautiful floats lined up in a row. Each float is very different from the one next to it, which seems to be a reflection of the diverse City of San José. Several floats have people in elaborate costumes standing near them -- Hey! There’s Shrek! And Curious George too! – all waiting in anticipation for their chance in the spotlight of this live televised event, with the eyes of viewers from over 60,000 households intently watching from their living rooms. As I come to the intersection at Market Street, I spot the special bleacher seating up the road to my right, and the beautiful San Jose Holiday Parade logo that has been painted on the ground in the middle of Market Street. I also notice that the giant streetlight that usually hangs over the middle of this street has already been moved by the city crew to make room for the balloons to pass through. Across from the bleacher seating, setup has already begun for ParadeFest@Christmas in the Park. This is the after-parade celebration -- a resource fair that highlights the non-profit organizations and corporate sponsors, which are contributors of the parade. It raises awareness of those in need during the holidays by collecting toys, food, blankets and books. I personally am looking forward to the Toys for Tots benefit concert tonight at ParadeFest, which will feature the United States Marine Corp Band from San Diego. I continue on, squeezing through a group of marching band performers bent over on the street corner, each pulling out their sparkling brass instrument to tune. Standing near them, I spot a familiar face, an elderly woman, who has been volunteering since the inaugural parade back in 1981. She is actually a current member of the San José Holiday Parade Advisory Board, working with the City to oversee various areas of the parade production. I give her a nod and try to smile, but I yawn and attempt to stifle it. She catches this and gives me a knowing smile. Like me, she also was here last night at Inflation Celebration -- the pre-parade kick-off, where magnificent carolers, brilliantly colored floats, enormous balloons and more are showcased in a sneak preview of the big parade. I drink some more coffee to help me wake up, and decide it’s just about time to head back to the volunteer check-in station. As I retrace my steps back, I notice a group of children who have arrived to participate in the parade. Dancers perhaps, for they are all dressed up in fancy sequined costumes. They are standing around the giant Frosty the Snowman helium balloon, pointing out his massive features. And it is moments like this that remind me of just how magical this parade truly is. Because of the tireless efforts of so many people working together, thousands of children like these will Embrace the Magic of the season during this San Jose Holiday Parade weekend! |
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