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An annual holiday parade that nearly coincided with Temecula’s 20th anniversary attracted one of its largest crowds ever, city officials said.

The parade came three days after Temecula marked the 20th anniversary of its incorporation. An annual holiday parade that nearly coincided with Temecula’s 20th anniversary attracted one of its largest crowds ever, city officials said.

"Frankly, this is one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen," said Robin Gilliland, a city museum services manager who was one of about 40 employees and volunteers who helped stage the 17th annual Santa’s Electric Light Parade on Dec. 4. The parade came three days after Temecula marked the 20th anniversary of its incorporation.

Gilliland estimated that about 30,000 spectators lined a long section of Jefferson Avenue on a night that seemed balmier than many previous parades. Many past parades have attracted about 20,000 people, she said. Other city officials and parade onlookers remarked about the relatively mild weather as they began another year of Christmas cheer.

"It’s a great night for a parade – nice and warm," said Jeff Lawrence, a city recreation supervisor who was in charge of spacing the start of the approximately 90 entries that required about two hours to march, ride or drive their way to the end.

It was the first Temecula Christmas parade for Taytum Kennard, the tiara- and sash-bedecked Miss Baby Murrieta. The 16-month-old snared the crown back in April, and it was the third time the tot had appeared in a Temecula or Murrieta parade.

Taytum was first in a long line of Chevrolet Corvettes that were carrying an array of female pageant winners of all ages.

"She really likes it," Becky Kennard said of her daughter’s outing. "She gets to be with all her friends."

The pageant winners were positioned amidst several of the animal-themed groups that participated this year. Just ahead were Emilio Russi of Murrieta and a half dozen of his pet llamas and alpacas, some of which have appeared in recent Rose Bowl Parades.

It was Russi’s ninth year in the Temecula parade with some of his animals, and this year they were accompanied by members of a Murrieta Scout pack.

"It’s a nice hometown parade," Russi said. Scout leader Dan Maguire said working with the pack-laden llamas, some of which had recently completed a Sierra trek that reached the 12,000-foot elevation mark, could come in handy someday for the boys.

"It’s good experience handling the animals," Maguire said.

Not far way was the Temecula Valley Dachshund Club, which boasted 37 stubby-legged canine participants, many of them wearing brightly-lit collars or harnesses. It was the third Christmas parade for Jim and Janice Richardson, a Temecula couple that had entered four of its dogs in this year’s procession.

"We look forward to it every year," Janice said. The group ended up winning first place in the parade’s Humorous category.

Near the Dachshund Club was the Temecula Valley Young Marines, which boasted the largest animal in the parade. "Diesel," a Clydesdale horse that weighs 2,500 pounds and stands 16.2 hands tall, pulled a wagon packed with passengers.

Jay Froboese of Murrieta kept a light hand on the reins as the massive horse began to move down the parade route. Behind the wagon were about 25 members of the group. They were enveloped in brightly-wrapped boxes – signifying Christmas presents – with helium filled balloons bouncing over their heads on the soft breeze.

"All right, forward march," barked C.O. Giles, a retired Marine staff sergeant as he directed his 54 young charges to keep in step.

"We love our city," he mused as his squad, which took second place in the Humorous category, moved out.

An annual holiday parade that nearly coincided with Temecula’s 20th anniversary attracted one of its largest crowds ever, city officials said.

"Frankly, this is one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen," said Robin Gilliland, a city museum services manager who was one of about 40 employees and volunteers who helped stage the 17th annual Santa’s Electric Light Parade on Dec. 4. The parade came three days after Temecula marked the 20th anniversary of its incorporation. An Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] annual holiday parade that nearly coincided with Temecula’s 20th anniversary attracted one of its largest crowds ever, city officials said.

"Frankly, this is one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen," said Robin Gilliland, a city museum services manager who was one of about 40 employees and volunteers who helped stage the 17th annual Santa’s Electric Light Parade on Dec. 4. The parade came three days after Temecula marked the 20th anniversary of its incorporation.

Gilliland estimated that about 30,000 spectators lined a long section of Jefferson Avenue on a night that seemed balmier than many previous parades. Many past parades have attracted about 20,000 people, she said. Other city officials and parade onlookers remarked about the relatively mild weather as they began another year of Christmas cheer.

"It’s a great night for a parade – nice and warm," said Jeff Lawrence, a city recreation supervisor who was in charge of spacing the start of the approximately 90 entries that required about two hours to march, ride or drive their way to the end.

It was the first Temecula Christmas parade for Taytum Kennard, the tiara- and sash-bedecked Miss Baby Murrieta. The 16-month-old snared the crown back in April, and it was the third time the tot had appeared in a Temecula or Murrieta parade.

Taytum was first in a long line of Chevrolet Corvettes that were carrying an array of female pageant winners of all ages.

"She really likes it," Becky Kennard said of her daughter’s outing. "She gets to be with all her friends."

The pageant winners were positioned amidst several of the animal-themed groups that participated this year. Just ahead were Emilio Russi of Murrieta and a half dozen of his pet llamas and alpacas, some of which have appeared in recent Rose Bowl Parades.

It was Russi’s ninth year in the Temecula parade with some of his animals, and this year they were accompanied by members of a Murrieta Scout pack.

"It’s a nice hometown parade," Russi said. Scout leader Dan Maguire said working with the pack-laden llamas, some of which had recently completed a Sierra trek that reached the 12,000-foot elevation mark, could come in handy someday for the boys.

"It’s good experience handling the animals," Maguire said.

Not far way was the Temecula Valley Dachshund Club, which boasted 37 stubby-legged canine participants, many of them wearing brightly-lit collars or harnesses. It was the third Christmas parade for Jim and Janice Richardson, a Temecula couple that had entered four of its dogs in this year’s procession.

"We look forward to it every year," Janice said. The group ended up winning first place in the parade’s Humorous category.

Near the Dachshund Club was the Temecula Valley Young Marines, which boasted the largest animal in the parade. "Diesel," a Clydesdale horse that weighs 2,500 pounds and stands 16.2 hands tall, pulled a wagon packed with passengers.

Jay Froboese of Murrieta kept a light hand on the reins as the massive horse began to move down the parade route. Behind the wagon were about 25 members of the group. They were enveloped in brightly-wrapped boxes – signifying Christmas presents – with helium filled balloons bouncing over their heads on the soft breeze.

"All right, forward march," barked C.O. Giles, a retired Marine staff sergeant as he directed his 54 young charges to keep in step.

"We love our city," he mused as his squad, which took second place in the Humorous category, moved out. The following entries were picked as winners in Temecula’s 2009 Santa’s Electric Light Parade. The Dec. 4 parade attracted about 90 entries and approximately 30,000 spectators, city officials said. Overall Parade Winner:

Temecula Youth Baseball Floats:

1st place: Temecula Youth Baseball

2nd place: Hillcrest Academy

Floats/Commercial:

1st place: Rancho California Water District

2nd place: Chili Gourmet

Autos:

1st place: Inland Jeepfreeks

2nd place: American Red Cross

Autos/Commercial:

1st place: International Rectifier

2nd place: Dwight Uhrich

Religious:

1st place: Praise Kids

Equestrian:

1st place: Little People Pony Co

2nd place: Friends & Family

Marchers:

1st place: Playtown Children’s Theatre

2nd place: St. Jeanne de Lestonnac Cub Scout Pack 369

Marchers / Commercial:

1st place: The Laundered Mutt & Training Center

2nd place: Temecula Valley Twirlers & Pom

Humorous:

1st place: Temecula Valley Dachshund Club

2nd place: Temecula Valley Young Marines

Humorous/Commercial:

1st place: Lake Elsinore Storm Baseball

Specialty:

1st place: Peltzer Farms Railroad

2nd place: Temecula Valley Children’s Chorus