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HOLLYWOOD,
Calif. -- This
year's Hollywood Christmas Parade once again benefitted The Marine
Toys for Tots, a non-profit organization that provides joy and
a message of hope to less fortunate children through new toys,
books, games during the holiday season. These gifts give them
hope, and positive memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.
Emmy
award-winning actor Joe Mantegna from "Criminal Minds"
served as the grand marshal at the Christmas Parade. Erik Estrada
and Laura McKenzie were the broadcast hosts. The 2012 Hollywood
Christmas Parade was sponsored by The City of Los Angeles, the
Hallmark Channel and Associated Television International.
Some featured
celebrities who contributed in the parade were from Jean-Luc Bilodeau,
Tahj Mowry and Derek Theler from "Big Daddy," James
Maslow and Carlos Pena, Jr. from “Big Time Rush," Maria
Canals-Barrera from “The Wizards of Waverly Place,"
A.J. Cook, Thomas Gibson and Matthew Gray Gubler from “Criminal
Minds,” Colin Ferguson from “Eureka,” along
with Lou Ferrigno from “The Incredible Hulk."
Additional
stars in the parade were Lauren Potter and Josh Sussman from “Glee,”
Karan Brar, Cameron Boyce and Jennifer Veal from “Jessie,”
Roshon Fegan and Caroline Sunshine from “Shake It Up!,”
along with Mark Steines from the new Hallmark Channel series “Home
& Family.”
United
States’ Air Force Space Commander and Three-Star Lieutenant
General Ellen M. Pawlikowski also rode on one of the floats.
However,
the big star of the parade was Santa Claus. Children had to watch
the entire parade to see him because he was located at the very
end of it.
Max Charles,
Isabella Cramp, Tim Jo, Ian Patrick and Simon Templeman are stars
from the new ABC science fiction sitcom “The Neighbors”
who were featured in the parade.
Soap stars
from “The Young and the Restless” included Lauralee
Bell, Tracey E. Bregman, Jessica Collins, Max Ehrlich, Christian
LeBlanc, Kate Linder, Kristoff St. John and Michelle Stafford.
Uggie
The Dog from “The Artist” was one of the four-legged
friends in the parade. Uggie was accompanied by his owner and
trainer, Omar Mueller. World-famous dance crew Jabowakeez and
“American Idol” finalist Kimberley Locke sang “Silver
Bells” in the annual tradition.
Twenty-one
award-winning bands from California, Arizona, Tennessee and nine
equestrian units were also featured in the parade.
Los Angeles
City Councilmembers Tom LaBonge (D-4th district) and Eric Garcetti
(D-13th district) presented a declaration to grand marshal Mantegna
on the red carpet prior to the start of the parade.
For
more information about the Hollywood Christmas Parade, visit www.thehollywoodchristmasparade.com
or its official Facebook
page.
Related
Story: PHOTOS:
80th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade on Hollywood Blvd. in Los
Angeles, CA
