Steeped in tradition, NOR Christmas Parade spreads 'holiday magic' in Oildale
Dec. 9—You'd better believe the Grinch is going away for good. Forget parole. He's a felony offender — don't think his extensive thefts of a Christmas tree, toys and Who-hash and roast beast are misdemeanors for a minute.
Cindy-Lou Who Zimmer (more often known as Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer) said this is serious. The Grinch, locked in handcuffs, was surrounded by deputy district attorneys and investigators.
The Grinch's crime?
"You can't ruin children's Christmas in Kern County," said Zimmer, who dressed up as the innocent character from Dr. Seuss' "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" for the well-attended 50th annual North of the River Christmas Parade.
Making its way from a staging area adjacent to North High School to West China Grade Loop to North Chester Avenue, the parade through the streets of Oildale lasted a solid hour and a half and was packed with spectators on a sunny Saturday.
Every community parade is spiced with a different flavor. This one — born during the 1973 oil crisis caused by the refusal of Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to sell crude to the United States — lacks motorized vehicles, save for the California Highway Patrol officers on motorcycles posted along the route for safety's sake.
Everyone here walks, dances or rides (bicycles, wagons or horses) along the route, just as it's been for half a century. It fosters the interactive nature of the parade.
Where else would you see and hear this among the 60-some entries?
Members of the School Nutrition Association of Kern County dressed as ketchup and mustard were met by a spectator who assured them "I've got the hot dogs!"
An enthusiastic Dat Krew Academy dancer received a shoutout of "I love your hair!" from a woman seated along the route.
A waving Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood, seated atop a horse-drawn carriage, was met with greetings of "Merry Christmas, Sheriff!"
