The highly anticipated Chula Vista Starlight Parade and Children's Faire will be canceled for another year.
In its place, the City of Chula Vista in partnership with Third Avenue Village Association will light up Third Avenue from Dec.4 through Dec.31 with Christmas lights. Residents are invited to stroll through Third Avenue to view the holiday lights, shop, dine-in and savor the avenue.
This is the second year the Starlight Parade and Children's Faire was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual holiday event was scheduled for Dec.4 and is a celebratory staple for many. The Chula Vista Starlight Parade made an announcement via Facebook on Oct. 25 of it’s cancellation for this year.
“As we are still in a global pandemic, the city does not feel it is appropriate to gather thousands of households together,” The Chula Vista Starlight Parade said in a Facebook comment.
The city held its last Starlight Parade in December of 2019 which featured a parade and a Children’s Faire with holiday games, a real snow hill and other Christmas themed activities like creating custom Christmas tree ornaments. Santa Clause made an appearance for pictures.
According to the Chula Vista Starlight Parade, several bounce houses were at the 2019 event for children to “burn off energy before the start of the parade”. Many local restaurants provided an array of food options and small businesses were featured for attendees to complete their holiday shopping for that year.
The free family event was sponsored by corporate sponsors and community donations to help cover the costs. In a Facebook post, the parade said all funds that were collected went directly to the event.
Though it is unclear if the parade will return to Chula Vista due to the pandemic, residents may view the Christmas lights that will soon dress Third Avenue.
