With a theme of “Whimsical Wonderland,” the 48th annual holiday parade was expected to bring floats decorated with “enchanted forests” and “sparkly snowscapes” to Chorro, Monterey, Osos, Higuera and Nipomo streets, according to a Downtown SLO news release.
The downtown association said the parade “has drawn thousands to downtown San Luis Obispo since 1976.”
“Held on the first Friday in December, the parade has become a much-loved holiday tradition along the Central Coast for locals and visitors alike,” the group said.
San Luis Obispo Police line up to starte parade near the Mission. Unseasonably warm weather encouraged a large crowd to attend the 48th annual downtown Holiday Parade. on Dec. 6, 2024. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
There were nearly 90 registered entries for this year’s parade, including decorated floats, vehicles, marching bands, dancers and more, according to Downtown SLO.
Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong was Grand Marshal of the parade and the Cal Poly Marching Band was the first to march. Later San Luis Obispo High School’s band marched with the one from Laguna Lake Middle School.
Meanwhile, one of the most popular floats was from Meathead Movers, which had snow blowing out from the back of a truck. Kids ran around among the flakes as they melted.
Unseasonably warm weather encouraged a large crowd up to six rows deep at the Missionas they watched the 48th annual downtown Holiday Parade. on Dec. 6, 2024. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
From left Ulysses Carbajal, Alessandra Carbajal, 4, Raynee Guiterrez and Chelsea Guitierrez, 2, waving to fire engines. Unseasonably warm weather encouraged a large crowd to attend the 48th annual downtown Holiday Parade. on Dec. 6, 2024. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Coastal Pediatric Dentistry had a yeti on their float. Unseasonably warm weather encouraged a large crowd to attend the 48th annual downtown Holiday Parade. on Dec. 6, 2024. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
David Ludwigson walked Cosmo, a golden retriever representing Woods Humane Society. Unseasonably warm weather encouraged a large crowd to attend the 48th annual downtown Holiday Parade. on Dec. 6, 2024. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Meathead Movers blew snow out of the back of a moving truck. Unseasonably warm weather encouraged a large crowd to attend the 48th annual downtown Holiday Parade. on Dec. 6, 2024. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
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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