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Oh what fun! South County kicks off holidays with night and daytime parades

Every year, residents of the Five Cities come together to celebrate the holidays with a series of well-attended parades featuring local businesses, civic groups and, of course, floats.

Here are some of the best photos from the Arroyo Grande Christmas Parade, which took place Dec. 1 in The Village, and the South County Holiday Parade, which strolled down Grand Avenue in Grover Beach on Saturday.

Did you attend the parades? Send your best photos to kleslie@thetribunenews.com and they could be added to our roundup.

Arroyo Grande Christmas Parade

The 16th annual Arroyo Grande Christmas Parade was held Dec. 1 in the Village of Arroyo Grande. The nighttime parade was hosted by Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab, which has its flagship location in the Village.

This year’s grand marshal was local photographer Vivian Krug Cotton. She kicked off the festivities riding at the front of the parade in a vintage car.

The parade benefited the Toys for Tots program.

The parade in the Village had 59 entries, including one by the Arroyo Grande Seventh Day Adventist-Church and its Adventurers and Pathfinders club.
The parade in the Village had 59 entries, including one by the Arroyo Grande Seventh Day Adventist-Church and its Adventurers and Pathfinders club. Vivian Krug Cotton
Hundreds of visitors lined the streets through The Village on Dec. 1 to watch the lighted floats pass by during the Arroyo Grande parade.
Hundreds of visitors lined the streets through The Village on Dec. 1 to watch the lighted floats pass by during the Arroyo Grande parade. Vivian Krug Cotton
The parade featured nods to well-known holiday characters like the Grinch from Dr. Suess’ ”How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and Olaf (above) from Disney’s Frozen.
The parade featured nods to well-known holiday characters like the Grinch from Dr. Suess’ ”How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and Olaf (above) from Disney’s Frozen. Vivian Krug Cotton
The Arroyo Grande parade also featured a live nativity in front of the Harvest Church on Branch Street.
The Arroyo Grande parade also featured a live nativity in front of the Harvest Church on Branch Street. Vivian Krug Cotton

South County Holiday Parade

The South County Holiday Parade was held in Grover Beach on Dec. 7 — despite the light rain falling on devoted attendees and participants.

The parade, which is the only daytime holiday parade in the San Luis Obispo County, had an additional element of celebration. The city of Grover Beach this year celebrated its 60th year of incorporation.

As a nod to the jubilee anniversary, Grover Beach resident Grover Cox dressed up as Grover City founder D.W. Grover and acted as honorary grand marshal of the event.

The South County Holiday Parade features an annual competition for entries; above, the judges sit and watch — including resident Grover Cox as city founder D.W. Grover.
The South County Holiday Parade features an annual competition for entries; above, the judges sit and watch — including resident Grover Cox as city founder D.W. Grover. Courtesy of City of Grover Beach
The South County parade is the only daytime holiday parade in the entirety of San Luis Obispo County.
The South County parade is the only daytime holiday parade in the entirety of San Luis Obispo County. Courtesy of City of Grover Beach
Kids with the YMCA South County program ride in the South County Holiday Parade in a festive float. Their entry won the award for Best Musical Entry.
Kids with the YMCA South County program ride in the South County Holiday Parade in a festive float. Their entry won the award for Best Musical Entry. Courtesy of City of Grover Beach
Kids with Grover Beach Elementary School walked in the annual parade wearing festive garb, including Santa hats, elf ears and even some dressed as snowflakes.
Kids with Grover Beach Elementary School walked in the annual parade wearing festive garb, including Santa hats, elf ears and even some dressed as snowflakes. Courtesy of City of Grover Beach
Grover Beach’s City Council, Mayor, City Manager and kids ride in the annual South County Holiday Parade. The parade is put on by the Grover Beach Parks and Recreation Department.
Grover Beach’s City Council, Mayor, City Manager and kids ride in the annual South County Holiday Parade. The parade is put on by the Grover Beach Parks and Recreation Department. Courtesy of Matt Bronson
A color guard leads the start of the South County Holiday Parade.
A color guard leads the start of the South County Holiday Parade. Courtesy of Matt Bronson

This story was originally published December 9, 2019 at 4:39 PM.

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Kaytlyn Leslie
The Tribune
805-781-7928 (voicemails only)
Kaytlyn Leslie writes about business and development for The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Hailing from Nipomo, she also covers city governments and happenings in San Luis Obispo. She joined The Tribune in 2013 after graduating from Cal Poly with her journalism degree.
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