Under steely skies, but no rain, preparations for Downey’s annual kick-off for the holiday season began in the staging parking lots just south of Florence Avenue.

Thinking I might learn more at a leisurely pace, I went there ahead of time for interviews, instead of trying to find a place along the route of Downey’s 68th Annual Holiday Parade. Every car has a story, I learned, and so does every person honored to ride in one. These are some of those stories.

Emely and Amanda, young women from the Downey Adult School, stood at the entrance to the parking lot on the east side of Downey Avenue, checking off the parade vehicles as they arrived. The lot looked like a cross between a Concours d’Elégance at Pebble Beach, and a candy shop. Jellybean red and turquoise, butterscotch yellow and licorice black Thunderbirds and Corvettes were lined up, awaiting their passengers. Of the 20 or so cars, probably half were T-Birds, complemented by a rare Touring Model T, a Cadillac and some extraordinary Buicks.

There was so much fantastic horseflesh, and that was just under the hoods of the vintage cars that carried civic leaders and associations in the 68th Annual Christmas Parade. The actual four-legged parade horses; the marching bands and dancing groups like the Bell Gardens Ballet Folklorico; fire engines; and groups on large floats like Miss Downey and her court; were organized elsewhere, and next year I’ll try to cover them.

Here, white walls alternated with wire wheels. The sponsoring City of Downey and the Downey Chamber of Commerce Michael Calvert and his staff could be proud of these parade entries.

**Larry Garces admiring the 1923 Ford Model T. Photo by Lorine Parks**

Larry Garces sipping coffee and wearing a gray sweater to match the polished hood stood by his silver Corvette, all set to carry Stacy Brabant, one of the grand marshals. The owners would be driving their cars, and none of them strayed very far away from their parked chargers.

Across from Larry a yellow Hummer was sitting, ready to transport Mario Guerra. The Honorable Mario is a Civilian Aid to the Secretary of the Army, and he was enthusiastic about his job

“Did you know,” said Mario, “the Army is the largest grantor of scholarships in the country. We are proud of our commitment to youth. We offer 150 kinds of jobs, and the training for them.”

Riding with Mario were Army Captain Charles Johnson IV, and First Sergeant Raymond, I didn’t get the last name. Charles hails from near Bradenton, Florida, went to Florida State in Tallahassee, and is stationed in Long Beach at the Army Recruiting Office. Raymond grew up in nearby Paramount.

Councilwoman Claudia Frometa wore a bright green scarf and was set to ride in a big white Sahara Jeep. For Thanksgiving, Claudia had 30 for dinner and cooked a 23-pound turkey and six sides, with her Mexican grandmother’s recipe for stuffing and her Cuban husband’s tropical seasoning rub.

“It keeps it so moist you don’t even need to baste it,” Claudia said.

Also seen but we couldn’t talk across the tarmac: Grand Marshals David Gafin, Carrie and George Redfox, and Blanca Pacheco; Mayor Rick Rodriguez; Nancy Swenson and Betty Ferraro representing the Downey Unified District Board; the Saab family.

Down the street from the staging lot a woman was seated on the curb with a baby carriage. It was an hour and a half before the parade was to start, but

Grandmother Lucy had brought her granddaughter, also named Lucy, to get the very first seats to watch when the parade began.

“We live nearby” said the young Lucy’s youthful grandmother, “just a few streets away.”

**Lucy and her granddaughter, also named Lucy. Photo by Lorine Parks**

Back in the lot, Martha Sodetani was the first to appear of the Downey Unified School District board members, and was soon joined by Donald LaPlante, longest serving member.

“I knit that crimson and gold scarf for Donald,” said Martha. “It stands for USC, not Hogwarts.”

A snappy black 1923 Ford Model T Touring car drove in, piloted by owner Arthur.

“Movie studios come to me to rent it,” Downey resident Arthur said. “I have about 30 cars, and this isn’t even the oldest. That one is a 1912 Buick.

This one is all original although I did buy a water pump for it. They didn’t come with one then.” Fire Chief Mark Gillaspie and Chief of Police Dean Milligan rode in that one.

An item you don’t see on today’s cars was the shiny chrome spare tire cover mounted on the back of a 1956 white T bird.

A claret Buick Riviera convertible was to carry Councilman Sean Ashton, and then later, Sharon Lavery, music director of the Downey Symphony. Owner Bill Hare said he bought it in 1983 from Simpson Buick, “right here in Downey.”

Luckily for Trojan Bill, the only color other than standard white offered that year was maroon.

“This was the last of the big convertibles Buick made,” said Bill, “in an extremely limited edition. The door alone is five feet long, and it’s double reinforced steel. The car weighs 4600 pounds, more than two tons.”

By now more of the people riding in the cars were arriving. Marshal Stacy Brabant was splendid in a red jump suit with glittering green sweater jacket decorated with red balls and candy canes. She and Bobbie Samperi, also outrageously in tune for the holidays in a figured tunic, posed in front of the highly waxed hood of Larry’s Corvette. Stacy’s husband Don’s outfit was more subdued, a long sleeved red shirt and Christmas tie with black slacks.

Stacy is a member of the Assistance League, and as the Chief Gardener in charge of the grounds, she said that Casa Parley Johnson, the league’s headquarters, recently played host to a visiting team from the Huntington Library in San Marino.

“They were interested in historic houses,” Stacy said.

Santa’s sleigh was already moved down Downey Avenue, so Santa didn’t come to the staging area, but we did get a chance to see the view Santa would have, of antlers surging up to the sky. Likewise, we briefly saw the metal framework for the Downey Rose Float. Imagination would have to fill in the flowers. Work begins now in earnest until it leaves for Pasadena on December 31.

Also seen: Carol Rowland, another grand marshal and longtime Downey Soroptimist. Is this your first time marshalling? “Yes,” said Carol, “and I love it.” Carol does a great job of Keeping Downey Beautiful.

More metallic bonbons included a blue 1970 Cadillac Coupe de Ville which would carry marshals Carrie and George Redfox; a yellow 1964 Ford Galaxy that looked like an extremely long banana split, for Mayor Rick Rodriguez; and a red Thunderbird for State Senator Bob Archuleta.

“Downey has so much heart,” said Senator Bob. “This parade shows what a unique community Downey is.”

Kirk Cartozian owns the classic car Martha Sodetani and Mark Morris was to ride in. He bought it, a blue T Bird, from an owner in Coral Gables, Florida, after scouring Craigslist for one. Kirk explained that he wasn’t in the parade.

“I can’t get in,” he said, “but my car can.”

Kirk and his car were doing double duty. After being in the front of the Parade as entry No. 5, Kirk would circle around and pick up DUSD Superintendent Dr. John Garcia and reappear as No. 35. Dr. John still has his November trim white beard.

“We’ll see what happens in December,” he said.

Bill Hare’s elegant 1983 Buick, its hood decorated with a pine garland, also served twice, first carrying Councilperson Sean Ashton. Bill had ferried the car in from the desert, where he spends most of his time.

“Do people wave to you on the freeway?” I asked. “They definitely slow down when they see it,” Bill said.

Bill brought the car up to Camarillo for his granddaughter’s wedding, so the bridal couple could drive off into the night in it as the guests waved sparklers.

Conductor of the Downey Symphony Orchestra Sharon Lavery arrived, dressed in the black suit with velvet stripes that she wears to conduct. Lars Clutterham, board member of the Symphonic Society and mentor for the Downey Foundation for Educational Opportunities group, sat in the spacious backseat. There was room for a fourth, and it had been rumored that Beethoven might come to Downey to ride in the parade, but as of starting time, no Ludwig, so Downey Symphony President Don Marshall filled in.

Carol Kearns, vice president of the Symphonic Society, gave symphony concert postcards to Assisteen volunteers Alicia, Destyne, Alison and Allanah to distribute to the crowd of spectators. Parade-goers now know that the next concert, on Jan. 18, 2020, will be a Happy 250th Birthday Beethoven Celebration. The audience is invited to come to the new theater patio after the concert and cheer Ludwig with cupcakes and champagne.

Taking in the Downey Christmas Parade