The 84th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade will air Dec.11 & Dec.19

By Karen Ostlund in Hollywood
The 84^th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas celebration in America,
 will premiere as a two-hour special on The CW Network on Friday, December 11 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.  Long-time parade partner Hallmark Channel will air multiple runs beginning Saturday, December 19 on their Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel.
The parade will kick off at Hollywood blvd, corner Orange, and air to more than one million American servicemen and women worldwide on American Forces Network. Media partners for this year's parade include Entertainment Tonight, The Insider, Variety, KTLA, Radio Disney, Hallmark Channel and KOST.

The parade and television broadcast will be co-hosted by popular television personalities Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie.

The musical performances will be featured on two separate stages during the parade and national telecast, and will include the following artists: Clay Aiken; India.Arie; Band of Merrymakers featuring Mark McGrath, Natasha Bedingfield, Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra and Sam Hollander; Daughtry; Diana Degarmo; Kat Graham; Candice Glover; Taylor Hicks; Alexander Jean featuring B.C. Jean and Mark Ballas; Sean Kingston; Heather Russell; Ruben Studdard; and Ace Young. Performances will feature the Marine Toys for Tots program, which is essential in providing gifts to less fortunate children everywhere.

 In addition to the musical performances, a "Magic of Christmas" segment from the magicians appearing on the hit TV series "Masters of Illusion" will also take place.

A special salute to American soaps will also be featured with appearances by General Hospital's Rick Hearst, Emme Rylan and Bradford Anderson; The Young & Restless' Tristan Rogers, Kate Linder, Bryton James and Christel Khalil; The Bold & The Beautiful's Scott Clifton and Jacqueline Macinnes Wood; Days Of Our Lives' Martha Madison, Deidre Hall and Galen Gering.

Penn & Teller, stars of the hit CW series "Penn & Teller: Fool Us," will be the Grand Marshals for this year's parade.
The show was presented and produced by Associated Television International, the live event, was taped earlier for network television, Sunday, November 29.

This year the parade will honor Oscar de la Hoya with the "Humanitarian Award" for his outstanding charity work over the years.

 Deidre Hall will make a special presentation to Toys For Tots.
The parade and television broadcast will be co-hosted by popular television personalities Erik Estrada, Laura McKenzie, Dean Cain, Montel Williams, with special co-hosts Elizabeth Stanton and Garrett Clayton.

Grand Marshals Penn & Teller

 Grand Marshals Penn &Teller, world acclaimed magicians and entertainers, have been performing as a duo together for the last four decades, combining magic with comedy.  Headlining in Las Vegas at The Penn & Teller Theatre at The Rio Hotel, the two are currently starring in the "Penn & Teller: Fool Us" series produced by 1/17 Productions and airing on The CW Network, and have also been featured in numerous stage and television shows.

 A true Hollywood tradition, this year's parade includes over 4,000 participants and attracts more than one million in attendance each year, with larger than life inflatable character balloons and celebrity filled cars making the much heralded trek down the over three mile parade route.

 www.thehollywoodchristmasparade.org. 

Finale with Santa Claus

The 84^th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade will play host to a variety of bands, equestrians and sponsors. Below is a list of  participants:

Bands
Long Beach Junior
Bloomington HS North
Cedarburg HS
Kaiser High School
Blazen Divas
KAYPA
Italian Group
PAVA
Golden Sail
Mountain Fifes and Drums
Rancho Verde Crimson Regiment
LA Catholic
LA Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums
Porterville
Gadsden
1^st Marines San Diego

Equestrians
Knott's Berry Farm,
Budweiser,
Wells Fargo,
CHiPs (will also have a car, and Harley's)
Majestic Acres
Charros de La Puente
Painted Ladies Rodeo Performers
Victorian Roses Ladies Riding Society

Sponsors and Novelties 
Coalition to Salute America's Heroes – Jack Scalia and Matt Pennington
Gumby – Gumby character and balloon
L.A. Ballet – from the Nutcracker
Hollywood Hotel – Elf and candy cane balloons
Nebuta float and Drummers
Health Net with Covered California
Chuck E. Cheese
Archibald