The Lakewood Village Holiday Parade returns on Saturday, Dec. 14, after a long hiatus. It kicks off at 11 a.m. from Sunnyvale’s Lakewood Elementary School, 750 Lakechime Drive.
The first parade was organized by the Lakewood Village Resident Association in 1959. The resident association folded sometime in the 1970s, but the parade and other neighborhood activities were brought back by the Lakewood Village Neighborhood Association in 1991. It celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1991 but was in danger of being canceled in 2013. This year’s parade is the first since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The parade has been a community tradition since I was a child, and I’ve lived in Sunnyvale for 35-plus years,” says Jeanette Green. “I’ve also had the honor of participating in the parade myself while attending Fremont High School in Sunnyvale.”
Fremont High’s marching band is set to participate in this year’s parade, as are members of local Girl Scout troops and the Dog Scouts of America, along with representatives from Love on Leash and the Sunnyvale Christian School Carolers.
Cars provided by Sunnyvale Dodge Ram Jeep will transport guests along the parade route, including Lakewood School principal Carly Sturm, Sunnyvale City Councilmember Eileen Le, city manager Tim Kirby and state Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens. Santa Claus will ride in a fire engine provided by Sunnyvale Public Safety Services.
The parade will end at Fairwood Park, where refreshments will be served. Donations of unwrapped toys and gift cards will be accepted for Sunnyvale Community Services’ toy drive.
