Oakland Holiday Parade December 1, 2007

Strike up the band, inflate the balloons and bring in the clowns -- the eighth annual Comcast Oakland Holiday Parade will be marching down Broadway this Saturday. The premiere children's holiday parade on the west coast features a huge procession of local marching bands, floats and giant helium baloons that starts at 2 p.m. with participants leaving the corner of 11th Street and Broadway before heading down the main thoroughfare and finally ending up at Snow Park (20th and Harrison Streets).

Kids are sure to be excited about appearances by grand marshals The Raggs (characters from the popular PBS children's show) and the 90 other entries participating in this year's parade. In addition to costumed and float featuring such favorites as Sponge Bob Square Pants, Dora the Explorer, Veggie Tales, Warner Bros. cartoon characters, Curious George, Madeline and Strawberry Shortcake, there will be giant inflatables of Raggedy Andy, Underdog, Babar and the Teletubby Po along with a variety of holiday balloons. Special guests pageant winners Miss California, Miss Asian America, Miss Oakland as well as members of the Oakland Raiderettes cheerleading squad. For more information on the event, please visit the Comcast Oakland Holiday Parade Web Site: www.oaklandholidayparade.com/

Official Website: http://www.oaklandholidayparade.com/