Who doesn’t want a chance to be in the OB Holiday Parade!
We contacted Patricia Hume, who was mentioned in the comments of the OB Holiday post we put up last night, and received an enthusiastic reply from her when we asked if we could help promote her idea of having an “Occupy the North Pole” contingent in the parade this year.
This opportunity is open to anyone, particularly Occupy people, just remember to stay in the theme of the Holiday Parade and in the realm of the North Pole.
Decorate wagons, scooters… Snowmen, Christmas trees, Christmas Fairies, Smurfs, Reindeer unions, Mrs. Claus, any part of the 99% are welcome. NO Santas however, that is a rule of the parade, they have their own Santa (and one is enough). Patricia said she will try and make some ears to pin on those who need them. She also said the 99 cent store in Clairemont has elf aprons, hats and Christmas socks for an easy fix. Bring extra costumes, signs, and bells if possible. There will be a car nearby to lock up things during the parade.
Flashlights, lanterns , glowsticks (and using broken glowstick ink to illuminate signs) for lighting. If anyone has creative ideas that would be great. Patricia plans on making a big “Occupy North Pole” sign to start off the parade. Drums, bells, kazoos would add to the celebration. It’s a parody, but it does keep the OCCUPY spirit alive.
Here’s some sign ideas….
- Currency NOT Candy Canes
- NO SECRET LISTS
- Share the cookies
- Elves are not Slaves
Got other ideas for signs? Post them in the comments section. There are a lot of creative people out there that could come up with some chants too!
Meet no later than 4pm on Saturday, December 3, at the corner of Santa Monica and Sunset Cliffs Blvd. “Occupy the North Pole” will be in Section D.
As a courtesy, those who can… please donate a few dollars to the OB Parade. They hope to get a $50 donation per entry. If everyone can pitch in a buck or two we’ll have that covered easily!
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
hey what fun! … and just remember all you elves and reindeer, parking will be horrible – so plan on either getting a ride to some point close-by, or grab a sleigh-ride.
While this float/parade entry sounds like a lot of fun, I just want to put out there that this is a family friendly event – I would hate to see all the children that lined up to see the parade (and Santa) in tears if Santa becomes a scapegoat and is demonized. Let’s keep it light-hearted. Looking forward to a fun and memorable parade.
(disclaimer: I am a new member of the Ocean Beach Town Council and a supporter of OWS)
This demonstrates that we can laugh at ourselves while still making our point. Its okay when we do that – laugh at ourselves – but when our enemies do that, watch out. Elves need democracy too.
Gretchen if you read the article it clearly states no santas. I am very surprised that someone from the town council has the hubris to speak to us like a condescending parent. Maybe we ought to occupy the town council.
There is a Santa at the end of the parade, (traditional), which is why they don’t want other Santas, it would wreck the finale. I agree with the family friendly event comment, try to keep the 1 per cent Santa comments coded and not too blatant. It’s more clever that way, anyway. I hope people show up with their Christmas North Pole bling , Occupy North Pole signs, and have fun.
No need to be a scrooge – she was just trying to be helpful. There’s still time to end up on Santa’s naughty list.
IMO
If the local Occupy movement is looking for a way to reach a lot of folks who probably don’t support them and confirm that lack of support while ensuring their lack of relevance to the mainstream – then marching in a family oriented neighborhood parade might definately be the way to do it.
If the movement is looking to increase its position and relevance in order to not be the butt of poor taste jokes like the invitations to the Lincoln/LincolnLog (whoever it is) group…then dressing up like elves and such doesn’t seem to help deflect that notion.
This move is below you. You need to moving into bigger and more relevant operations. Occupy is marching on City Councils, Wall Street and the White House. …not Newport ave as elves next to the old guys rule surf drill team.
Sorry to be a Scrooge…and also sorry for playing amateur PR/marketing person for a minute, as it clearly isn’t my profession. I fully support this movement and I don’t want to see it disparaged or the work that they’ve done to market/brand themselves lost due to actions of side or splinter groups.
Is this action being supported by the local Occupy leadership?
What happened to the tree at the beach? If you stand to the north of it, it lists to the left, & if you stand w/ the pier at your back, ohmygosh, it lists to the right; we shouldn’t have anything tilt to the right;we all know the right is morally bankrupt.
the OB Christmas tree is always bit challenged. it’s an ongoing tradition.
The tree is wishy-washy and tends to go whichever way the wind blows.
I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that I disagree about occupying the north pole. Let’s not put politics into Christmas. Kids, which is a lot about what Christmas is, are not “politikers, ‘ have you been nice, have you been good, Santa Claus is coming tonight………..’ ” We have already lost Christmas at Balboa Park with the “December nights.” Sure, the immigrants that have come to this country are to be respected, but why don’t they do their own celebration of their countries and customs from which they have come while they embrace the new life they have here. For example, I have a warm spot in my heart for “old Mexico.” I loved the old culture, the warm people. It is sad, that now, some of the new Mexican-Americans seems to have lost some of this heritage, while escaping the ills of that same country.
And let me say, OB is one of my favorite places. It was the first move I made when I came back to California in 1998.
I saw a brilliant holiday sign at occupy escondido, it read 99% nice, 1% naughty.
michelle love it! the protestors are pretty brave, the police in many places have been pretty heavy handed.
Like? 99% not all nice.