Holiday Prince and Fairy named for downtown parade

By DAILY SOUND STAFF — Nov. 21, 2009

Featuring marching bands, floats and performance groups in colorful costumes — as well as the newly named Holiday Prince and Fairy — the 57th Annual Downtown Holiday Parade will proceed down State Street in a few short weeks.

Parade organizers announced yesterday that Nick Schaedler, 8, and Sydney Lynn Hlavaty, 7, had been named Holiday Prince and Fairy, respectively. They were selected by a panel of judges based on artwork submitted by children between the ages of 6 and 10 who drew or painted a depiction of what makes the holidays a magical time for them.

“They have one of the most important jobs in the parade — lighting the 45-foot Douglas fir community holiday tree located just north of the intersection at State and Victoria streets,” according to a Downtown Organization news release. “In keeping with tradition, the Prince and Fairy will wave their magic wands and the tree will illuminate State Street, signifying the official start of the parade and the holiday season.”

The duo will also lead the parade along with this year’s Grand Marshal, Smokey Bear — the well-known and longtime wildfire prevention icon. Finalists for the Prince and Fairy positions will also ride with Santa Claus as he cruises down State Street toward the end of the parade.

Sponsored by the Downtown Organization, the parade begins at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at State and Sola streets and concludes at Cota Street. More information is available by calling 962-2098, ext. 24, or visiting www.santabarbaradowntown.com.

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: 11/21/2009

I recommend people don't try and see the parade around the Paseo Nuevo Mall area. The sidewalks must have been 10 people deep. We couldn't see any of the parade and left.

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: 11/22/2009

see the parade in the 1200 or 1300 blocks to avoid congestion.

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