Decked out in lights, decorations and holiday cheer, Long Beach’s 2nd Street was jam packed with eager crowds on Dec. 3 for the 38th annual Belmont Shore Parade.
The parade has been long anticipated, featuring a variety of local businesses and characters of note, with the spectacle being a non-stop three hours of lights, music and joy.
The 38th annual Belmont Shore parade featured over a hundred organizations, and dozens of locally designed floats, all following the theme “Christmas at the Movies.”
Some of the standouts included a “Polar Express” themed float by Long Beach Little League Association, Long Beach Health Department’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” float and the Socal Corgi Nation, which paraded dozens of festively decked out corgis along the route.
Streets were lined with chairs, blankets and even some tables, as people vied for a good view of the parade route, with barely any room left on the sidewalk for a single file line of pedestrians to make their way down 2nd street.
Long Beach City College also had a spot in the parade, LBCC’s cheer team and athletes carried a banner followed by a pick-up truck filled with carolers.
Two LBCC participants spoke of their thoughts on finally being back on the parade circuit.
“I feel like post-pandemic, coming back from not seeing anyone in person, it was really hard because I really missed that interpersonal connection with my community so being able to see that again is awesome,” LBCC ASB President Alanna Jolivett said.
Alexander Hernandez, LBCC Student Trustee, also reflected on his involvement in walking with other Long Beach City College representatives in the parade.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “This is actually my first parade. I didn’t even know they had a parade out here in Long Beach, so being part of it was the best experience, you know just feeling a part of Long Beach and the community.”
He also commented on how it felt to be out for such a public event for the first time in years.
“Honestly I think it’s very exciting for everybody. Look at this crowd. It’s a full crowd so I think everyones excited to be back, not to normal, but to at least have a gathering of family and friends, and I think it’s the best thing that we could have had.”
The procession concluded its route around 9 p.m. where it began on the intersection of 2nd and Quincy Ave, with attendees slowly retreating into one of many of the open and welcoming shops lining 2nd street.