THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PARADE TOOK PLACE IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ ON SATURDAY MORNING. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE SHOWED TO WATCH THE FESTIVITIES AS THE PARADE MOVED DOWN PACIFIC AVENUE. THERE WERE FLOATS , CLASSIC CARS, MARCHING BANDS, HORSES AND SANTA CLAUS AND HIS HELPERS. VARIOUS GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS FROM THE AREA WERE THERE TO HAND OUT CANDY AND FLIERS. BARRIOS UNIDOS, ONE OF THE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, THREW OUT PACKAGES CONTAINING JACKETS. THIS ANNUAL EVENT OFFICIALLY USHERS IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON TO THE RESIDENTS OF SANTA CRUZ AND NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.