It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas All Across the Peninsula!

By Steve Tabor

As traffic lights around the Peninsula were blinking a bright red and green, the Cities of Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes and Rolling Hills Estates jointly ushered in the holiday season with the 24th Annual Peninsula Parade of Lights on Saturday, December 4th along Silver Spur Road and other streets adjacent to the Promenade on the Peninsula.

Kenley Jansen, Peninsula resident and until the conclusion of the 2021 season a career relief pitcher for our own Los Angeles Dodgers, served as the parade’s Grand Marshall. Judy Mitchell, retired Rolling Hills Estate Councilmember and Mayor, was selected as the Community Marshall, along with local first responders from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department along with the medical staff members from Kaiser Permanente, Providence Little Company of Mary Hospital and Torrance Memorial Hospital.

Prior to the parade, a gathering was held at the Promenade’s El Polo Inka Restaurant hosting officials from the various cities, parade sponsors, and other special guests. Even Santa Claus took time out from checking his “Naughty and Nice List” and dropped in with Season’s Greetings for Jansen, Community Marshalls and others gathered to celebrate the event.

In addition to Jansen and the Community Marshalls, the parade featured appearances by State Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi, various city officials, school board members and other community members riding in classic automobiles, horse drawn wagons and other methods of transportation. The parade goers were entertained by several marching bands and drill teams as well as synchronized dance groups accompanied by drum corps or recorded music, and folklorico dance groups. In addition, several Peninsula area youth organizations such as the Palos Verdes 4H Club, the YMCA, various Girl Scouts and Boy Scout troops, school groups and youth baseball leagues.

Of course, youngsters and those young at heart anxiously awaited the appearance of that jovial bearded visitor from the North Pole who arrived via a horse drawn carriage accompanied by the Los Angeles Kings mascot, Bailey, sharing holiday greetings for one and all.

As spectators and participants alike returned to their cars following the parade a faint echo could be heard across the Peninsula, “Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night!”

Steve Tabor Bio

This South Bay native’s photographic journey began after receiving his first 35 mm film camera upon earning his Bachelor of Arts degree. Steve began with photographing coastal landscapes and marine life. As a classroom teacher he used photography to share the world and his experiences with his students. Steve has expanded his photographic talents to include portraits and group photography, special event photography as well as live performance and athletics. Steve serves as a volunteer ranger for the Catalina Island Conservancy and uses this opportunity to document the flora and fauna of the island’s interior as well as photograph special events and activities.

Watch for Steve Tabor Images on the worldwide web.