When I was a little girl, sometime in the late 80s I saw the USC band perform at the Hollywood Christmas Parade. I thought to myself, "That is the coolest band in the whole wide world."  They opened up the parade near the KTLA Tower off Hollywood Blvd. and the entire crowd went crazy. 

For the past few years, the parade has lost much grandeur, and low attendance and lack of sponsors has led to the parade nearly being canceled. But despite budget cuts and an economic drought, the City of Los Angeles is attempting to bring it back.  The city took over sponsorship of the parade from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in 2007 after the chamber said it could no longer afford to continue hosting it.

Sunday's Hollywood Christmas Parade proved that the magic and splendor could return to Tinsel Town and its community. Thousands of people lined the streets of Hollywood Blvd. to catch the free festivities.   

Susan Lucci was the Grand Marshall of the parade and well-known artists including Grammy-nominated singer Brian McKnight, TV host Montel Williams, actors Lorenzo Lamas and Antonio Sabato Jr., the cast of GLEE, The Office and famous Mexican actress Victoria Ruffo also participated.  

Fourteen bands participated in the parade.  Some, like the Shawnee Mission Northwest Marching Band traveled from as far as Kansas, but missing from the action right on their own turf were the Hollywood High School Sheiks Marching Band, as well as many other local LAUSD high schools. Perhaps a sign as to the status of arts programs within the school district.  

Popular favorites were the eight giant balloons towering over the crowd and buildings and the many equestrian sets that participated.  Coca-Cola drew the most attention with six brightly-lit themed floats.

If you missed the parade, you can see it on MyNetworkTV, Channel 13 at 8 p.m. on December 10, and on Christmas Eve.