OB's Most Wonderful Night of the Year

For the last several years, dating back to our old apartment on Cape May Avenue, Kate & I had been hosting an Ocean Beach Holiday Pre-Parade Party at our place.  The running joke was that unlike most get-togethers there was a hard end-time.  

"Alright!  Everybody out!" we'd yell at about 4:30 each year.  That gave us just enough time to put away the extra food & drink & make our way the three blocks to Newport Ave where the parade started promptly at 5:05pm.

"You've never seen so many people drinking from coffee cups at night," I bragged to my brother about the event over the phone.  "Oh yeah, & Kate makes it snow in our yard, too."

It was probably our favorite day of the year in OB.  Sure, the OB Street Fair & Chili Cook-off every summer had it's charms- the community mural squares, the five stages of live music, as well as the chili taste test- but there was no parade.  

But, there's just something about a night parade with all of the lit up floats & street walkers in their Christmas best attire that made it a holiday all it's own.  So, we basically created a pre-game/tailgate party in our yard, with party favors, photo backdrops, hot toddies, Christmas music on the speakers, Christmas movies on the VCR, & yes, even a snow machine.  To give San Diego more of a winter wonderland feel. 

We encouraged people to show up early, anytime after 1pm, & they could go home with a koozie to commemorate the joyous event:

In 2017, though, for the first time, we had a viewing spot on Newport Ave, with a restroom.  That was huge!  While we couldn't invite everyone from the pre-party up to our new storefront, my brother, Ross & his wife, Sydney, along with a handful of others walked up there with us to catch the parade.  

You really couldn't see a whole lot from behind the window inside, but having a great view from the sidewalk, along with toilet in the back hallway was key.   

Being able to play Christmas music on my old 2006 laptop connected to my new OB Yard Sale find Kenwood stereo was priceless.  Hearing my I-Tunes music bouncing off the white primed walls & several scattered, unboxed appliances really made the season bright for me.  

Kate & I were embarking on a new era with Mad Munch on Newport Ave & though, sad to say, this would be the last OB Pre-Holiday Parade in our yard, at least we got to spend it with some family.

And, Sydney took this amazing photo, perched on top of a random car parked in front of the "Cape May Cage," to commemorate this historic moment in time:  December 2, 2017, around 4pm.

This photo shows just about everyone I knew/know in OB/San Diego.  It's now framed & hangs in our house.