Wave Staff Report
HOLLYWOOD — The 89th annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, which traditionally ushers in the Southern California holiday season, will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 28, starting at Hollywood Boulevard at Orange Street.
The parade returns this year after being canceled in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. It features Hollywood celebrities and movie cars, award-wining bands from around the country, equestrian units, large-than-life character balloons, colorful floats and specialty acts.
Talk show host and actress Sheryl Underwood will serve as grand marshal.
“The pandemic has made it very tough for everybody for over a year and a half,” said Underwood, a host of the CBS afternoon talk show “The Talk.” “I can’t wait to get out there on the streets of Hollywood to celebrate with all of you.”
Underwood initially rose to prominence in the comedy world. She won the BET “Funniest Female Comedian on Comic View” Award in 1994 and the BET Comedy Awards’ Platinum Mic Viewers Choice Award in 2005.
Her television credits include appearances on “The Young and The Restless,” “The Odd Couple,” “The Bold and The Beautiful,” “Funny You Should Ask,” “Celebrity Name Game,” “Overserved with Lisa Vanderpump” and “Celebrity Family Feud.”
The parade is televised nationally with Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain, Montel Williams and Elizabeth Stanton serving as hosts.
“Since 1928 the live Hollywood Christmas Parade has been a loved and cherished annual holiday tradition enjoyed by Angelenos, as well as by millions watching the televised airings of the parade nationally on the CW Network and internationally on Armed Forces Network around the world,” said McKenzie, who also is a producer of the parade.
Last year’s parade was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the first time the parade wasn’t held since 1944.
Several streets in the vicinity of the parade route will be closed the day of the parade. Motorists are advised to stay clear of the area beginning in the early afternoon hours.
