The Sights, Sounds and Spirit of the Holiday Season Fills the Air Across the Peninsula By Photographer & Contributor Steve Tabor

Auntie Mame was right, “We need a little Christmas!” And what better way to kick off the season than the Peninsula’s own Parade of Lights winding along the streets adjacent to Promenade on the Peninsula.

Parade organizers selected professional surfer and native son, Alex Gray as this year’s Grand Marshall. Peninsula High School’s former Athlete of the Year has traveled the world competing in World Surf League’s World Qualifying Series events and Big Wave Tour competitions. During his 20 year career, he won the Nelscott Reef Big Wave event, participated in the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, and Surf Magazine’s barrel of the Year Teahupoo. And recently he added inductee to the Los Angeles Sportswalk Hall of Fame to his lists of accomplishments.

*Parade of Lights 2023 Grand Marshall, Alex Gray*

At age 17, Gray lost his older brother, Chris, to a heroin overdose. As a way to deal with his grief and to assist others in dealing with their grief over the loss of a sibling, Gray created Gray Surf Therapy. Gray states, “I wanted to reach out to the public with my sibling grief group by providing a platform to show there’s others struggling out there just like me. But, I wanted to do it my way.”

*Parade of Lights 2023 Community Marshall, Julia Parton*

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce honored another native Palos Verdes Peninsula resident, Julia Parton, by designating her as the Community Marshall. The Chamber notes that Parton, Malaga Bank’s First Vice President Business Development Manager, serves on a number of non-profit boards and organizations including little league, senior programs, crisis support groups and other organizations. Currently, Parton serves on the Chamber’s Board of Directors and is Chairperson of the Membership Committee.

Among the elected officials participating in this year’s parade were California’s 24th Senate District, Senator Ben Allen, California State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, mayors and city council members representing the cities on Peninsula, PVPUSD Board Members, and members of other city commissions and community boards.

*California State Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi*

Committee groups included local scouting groups, Palos Verdes Little League, the 4 H Club, the Lomita LA County Sheriff’s Station and their mounted posse, and a variety of bands and dance groups.