6th Annual Yule Parade Is Saturday

Jeff Waite says he enjoys nothing better than watching the floats he has worked on travel down Main Street in Santa Ana in The Times Orange County Holiday Parade.

Waite, an employee in the city Parks and Recreation Department, will work long hours for the next few days, making sure each decoration on every float is just right for the sixth annual event on Saturday.

“It’s a good feeling to know that your work is going to be appreciated by thousands of eager people,� Waite said. “It is particularly rewarding to know that it brings such joy to kids.� Floats in this year’s parade reflect the theme of adventure and travel, with designs ranging from larger-than-life astronauts to a huge, fire-breathing Chinese dragon.

Ten giant helium ballons, led by a 75-foot Popeye, will make their way through downtown Santa Ana, along with 25 floats.

For the first time, Santa Ana city employees have built their own floral entry, which features a winter fantasy scene with a horse and sleigh, life-size deer and other woodland creatures.

Helping to provide the musical entertainment for the parade will be the top 16 Southern California high school bands and six bands from as far as Canada and New Orleans.

“This year we are trying to bring more musical entertainment to the public,� said Bob Viking, vice president of the parade. “The parade is finally acquiring its own identity, and musical entertainment is only one aspect of that new found identity.� Parade officials said this year’s event will cost more than $1 million. Shortly after it is over, they said, they will begin preparing for next year’s parade.

Saturday’s parade will begin at 10:30 a.m.