HOLIDAY SEASON ARRIVES IN EAST COUNTY

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By Miriam Raftery

It's official!  The holiday season has begun, heralded in by special events across East County.

Over 100,000 people turned out to watch the 2008 Mother Goose Parade on Sunday, which had a "Heroes of Might and Magic" theme.   Dazzling floats, giant balloons,  equestrians, marching bands, 50 celebrities plus heroes ranging from fictional Star Wars characters to real-life firefighters appeared in this year's parade.  Entertainment include singing, dancing, clowns, rappin' rollerskaters, high-stepping horses and a brigade of trashcan drummers. 

See our exclusive video highlights:

Beck Family Rollers

Iceskating at Viejas ice rink

Mother Goose float, Mother goose Parade, El Cajon 2008

Cox Cable's Happy Holidays float, Mother Goose Parade 2008

Fun in the Sun float, Mother Goose Parade 2008

Car doing wheelies, Mother Goose Parade 2008

They've got rhythm! Kid drummers at Mother goose Parade 2008

Horse-drawn wagon at Mother Goose Parade 2008

In Alpine, the Viejas Outlet Center held a tree-lighting ceremony Saturday night, much to the delight of skaters at a temporary outdoor ice rink backlit by pillars of fire.  The Ice Princess show (actually a waterworks and dance show, not an ice show) is also now playing at Viejas; admission is free.  (View a short video)

The festive atmosphere at both events filled spectators with much-needed holiday spirit, reminding us all that we do indeed have much to be thankful for here in East County this holiday season.

Editor Miriam Raftery is a native East County resident.


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