Each year, Tinseltown kicks off the start of the holiday shopping season with a major, star-studded, 3.2 mile Christmas parade along Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards.

This annual holiday event began over 75 years ago (in 1928), and was originally called "The Santa Claus Lane Parade." In fact, it inspired singer Gene Autry to co-write the song "Here Comes Santa Claus" ("...right down Santa Claus Lane"). The event was since renamed "The Hollywood Christmas Parade," and over a million people line up along the curbs each year to watch this dazzling night time procession of stars.

In 2009, the 78th annual parade will take place on Sunday, November 29, 2009 at 6 p.m.

(It will air nationally later on MyNetworkTV, on Dec. 10, with Coke as the sponsor.)

The Grand Marshal for the 2009 parade will be soap opera star Susan Lucci, of "All My Children" fame.

The 2008 parade included actress Shirley Jones (and hubby Marty Ingels), the late David Carradine, Hugh O'Brian, Lana Wood, and cast members from "Twilight" and "The Young & the Restless", among others, as well as the usual great marching bands and equestrian units.

But the 76th annual parade almost didn't happen in 2007. Why?

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which ran the parade, decided to cancel the 2007 parade because it was losing money. For a while, it appeared there would be no parade in 2007. But the parade was saved at the last moment, when the L.A. City Council voted to sponsor the event.

Since the Chamber of Commerce owned the name "The Hollywood Christmas Parade", the name of the 2007 parade was changed to "The Hollywood Santa Parade" (sort of a throwback to the early days when it was the "Santa Claus Lane Parade"), but otherwise it went on as usual, the Sunday after Thanksgiving (November 25, 2007), using the very same parade route as before.

Despite the last minute rescue, they still managed to round up a few stars for the event, although the overall star quotient for that year's parade did fall far short of most past years.

The Grand Marshal for the 2007 parade was Bob Barker ("The Price is Right"), and other celebs on hand included the Shawn & Marlon Wayans, Jamie Farr ('Klinger' on "M*A*S*H*"), Fred Willard ("Everybody Lives Raymond"), Melody Thomas Scott ('Nikki' on "The Young and the Restless"), Tony Plana (Betty's father on "Ugly Betty"), crazyman Rip Taylor, radio legend Casey Kasem, Rex Lee ('Lloyd' on "Entourage"), and "Eight is Enough" star Dick Van Patten. Although it was originally announced that the cast of "High School Musical" was going to participate in the parade, it turned out that just one cast member, Kaycee Stroh ('Martha Cox') actually showed up.

But a crowd of at least 125,000 turned out to watch. The parade was covered live via cable on CityView Channel 35, and later, KTLA re-broadcasted the parade on Channel 5 at noon on Dec. 16.

The 2008 parade included celebs like David Carradine ("Kill Bill", "Kung Fu"), Shirley Jones ("The Partridge Family", "The Music Man"), Disney's new young star Demi Lovato ("Camp Rock"), Anne Jeffreys ("Topper"), Ann Rutherford ('Polly' in the "Andy Hardy" films), Lana Wood (“Peyton Place”), Sterling Beaumon ('Young Ben' on "Lost"), Melody Thomas Scott ('Nikki' on "The Young & the Restless"), Fred Willard ("Everybody Loves Raymond"), Kyle Massey ('Cory' on "That's So Raven"), Neal McDonough ('Dave' on "Desperate Housewives"), Eva La Rue ('Natalia Boa Vista' on "CSI: Miami"), Kate Linder ('Esther Valentine' on "The Young & the Restless"), Ed Ames ('Mingo' on "Daniel Boone"), and astronaut Buzz Aldrin, in addition a number of TV and movie personalities.

The Hollywood Christmas Parade isn't in the same league as Pasadena's spectacular Rose Parade (then again, what other parade is?), and its quality has declined since the Chamber bowed out (and they changed the name), but it is still a large, festive affair with more than a dozen colorful marching bands, TV & radio celebrities riding in open antique convertibles, twenty glitzy floats, cartoon characters, twelve equestrian units, and of course Santa Claus himself riding an 18-foot-high, 62-foot-long float in the grand finale.

For the star-struck, it should be pointed out that the parade is one of those rare opportunities when you're guaranteed to see actual movie & TV stars on the streets of Hollywood. In fact, it's billed as "the largest celebrity parade in the world!" In their time, Mary Pickford, Natalie Wood, Eddie Cantor and the Three Stooges all rode in the parade. David  Letterman was discovered by NBC after he helped broadcast the event on TV.

Parade Grand Marshals of the last few decades have included Bob Hope, Charlton Heston, Lou Gossett, Tony Danza, Tom Arnold and David Hasselhoff.

In 2006, as the parade marked its 75 Anniversary, TV's Regis Philbin ("Live With Regis & Kelly", "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"), who is also 75, was the "Diamond Jubilee Honorary Grand Marshal". The regular Grand Marshall was George Lopez ("The George Lopez Show"). Other parade participants & performers included singer Michael Bolton and fiance Nicolette Sheridan (from "Desperate Housewives"), David Boreanaz ("Angel", "Bones") Shawn & Marlon Wayans ("The Wayans Bros"), Casper Van Dien ("Starship Troopers"), Edward James Olmos ("Battlestar Galactica"), Marlee Matlin ("Children of a Lesser God"), Catherine Oxenberg ("Watch Over Me"), Hayden Panettiere (the cheerleader from "Heroes"), Hulk Hogan & his daughter Brooke Hogan, Joey Lawrence ("Dancing with the Stars"), Stephen Collins & Catherine Hicks ('the Camdens' from "7th Heaven"), Eric Braeden ('Victor' on "The Young & the Restless"), Malcolm David Kelley ('Walt' on "Lost"). Justin Hartley ('Green Arrow' on "Smallville"), and lots of TV sitcom stars and costumed cartoon characters.

In 2005, the Grand Marshall was L.A.'s new mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, the first elected official to be Grand Marshall in the Hollywood Christmas Parade's history . Celebrities riding in the 2005 parade included Mickey Rooney, Eartha Kitt, Kathy Griffin, Dick Van Patten, Baywatch's David Hasselhoff, Kevin Eubanks (bandleader on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"), Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith ('Mr. & Mrs. Forman' from "That 70's Show"), Mackenzie Rosman ('Ruthie' on "7th Heaven"), Richard Schiff ('Toby Ziegler' on "The West Wing"), Tony Orlando & Dawn, singer Romeo, Vivien Cardone ('Delia' on "Everwood"), Tyler Hilton ('Chris ' on "One Tree Hill"), Tyler Hoechlin ("Road to Perdition"), Camille Winbush ('Nessa' on "The Bernie Mac Show"), L.A. Clippers players, Disney characters, and of course, Santa Claus.

In 2004 the Grand Marshall was basketball great Magic Johnson. Other celebs that year included Brad Garrett ('Robert' in "Everybody Loves Raymond"), George Lopez, Eric Roberts ("Less Than Perfect"), Cindy Williams ("Laverne & Shirley"), Lorenzo Lamas, astronaut Buzz Aldren, and various cast members from the shows "Gilmore Girls", "That '70s Show", "Complete Savages", "My Wife & Kids", "Days of Our Lives", "The Young & the Restless" and "The Bold & the Beautiful". Plus costumed cartoon characters Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, The Simpsons, & Spider-Man.

In 2003, the Grand Marshall was the honorary Mayor of Hollywood, Johnny Grant (replacing governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who declined an invitation to be the year's Grand Marshall); stars riding in the parade included Joe Mantegna ("Joan of Arcadia") Eric Roberts, Ruth Buzzi, Gene Barry, Lorenzo Lamas, Joanne Worley, Danny Bonaduce, Dick Van Patten, Tippi Hedren, Fred Willard, Judge Joe Brown and Laker James Worthy, along with L.A. Mayor James Hahn. The event also featured cast members from "The Bernie Mac Show," "Gilmore Girls," and "7th Heaven," "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper", "D.H.S." and "That '70s Show", among others.

The event is telecast in front of the new Kodak Theatre, and a stretch of Hollywood Boulevard is covered with red carpet for the start of the parade.

In 2002, due to NBC's new involvement, there were some top of the line celebs on hand (at least for the entertainment portions of their broadcast), including Destiny's Child, LeAnn Rimes, Carrot Top and David Copperfield. There will be a new "Back to the Future" float, a performance from the new Disney musical "Aladdin" and a stunt from the movie "XXX". Stars actually riding in the 2002 parade will include Grand Marshall Mickey Rooney, William Shatner (Star Trek's 'Captain Kirk'), Frankie Avalon, Jerry O'Connell ("Sliders"), singer Pat Boone, Ray Liotta ("Goodfellas", "John Q"), Robert Patrick ("Terminator II", "The X-Files"), Elvira ('Mistress of the Dark"), Mindy Sterling ("Austin Powers"), Leeza Gibbons ("Extra"), Lorenzo Lamas ("The Immortal"), Seth Peterson ("Providence"), Joe Mantegna ("Godfather III"), Natasha Henstridge, Kevin Eubanks ("The Tonight Show" bandleader), Danny Bonaduce ("The Other Half"), That 70's Show's Kurtwood Smith & Debra Jo Rupp, and more.

In 2001, the parade's Grand Marshall was actor Peter Fonda. Celebrities riding in the parade included Kathy Kinney ('Mimi' on "The Drew Carrey Show"), Florence Henderson ("The Brady Bunch"), Jack Klugman ("The Odd Couple," "Quincy"), Marion Ross ("Happy Days"), Melissa Gilbert ("Little House on the Prairie"), three stars of "The Parkers" cast (Mo'Nique, Countess Vaughn & Dorien Wilson), Michelle Trachtenberg ('Dawn' from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Nikki Cox ("Unhappily Ever After," "Nikki"), Robert Patrick ("The X-Files", "Terminator II"), Ed Begley Jr. ("Six Feet Under"), singer/actor Pat Boone, Seth Peterson ('Robbie' on "Providence'), Kevin Eubanks (the "Tonight Show" bandleader), Alan Rachins (Dharma's father on "Dharma & Greg"), LeVar Burton ("Star Trek: TNG"), Vicki Lewis ('Beth' on "NewsRadio"), Leeza Gibbons ("Extra!"), Lorenzo Lamas ("The Immortal"), Fyvush Finkel ("Picket Fences," "Boston Public"), Justin Berfield ('Reese' on "Malcolm in the Middle"), Christopher Titus ('Titus'), Antonio Sabato, Jr. ("Melrose Place"), and three stars of the new "Star Trek: Enterprise" show, Anthony Montgomery ('Ensign Mayweather'), Dominic Keating ('Lt. Malcolm Reed') and Jolene Blalock ("T'Pol"), wrestler "Chyna" and other WWF stars, plus musical groups Eden's Crush and All-4-One, numerous soap opera stars, assorted costumed characters such as Betty Boop and Sonic the Hedgehog and many more.

In 2000, the Grand Marshall duties were shared by youngster Frankie Muniz (star of TV's "Malcolm in the Middle") and veteran actor Dennis Hopper ("Easy Rider"). Three Hollywood legends were honored and rode in the parade: film legend Mickey Rooney, TV legend Sid Caesar and radio legend Casey Kasem. Other celebrities riding in the parade included Ed Begley Jr., Teri Garr, Natasha Henstridge, Joe Mantegna, Leeza Gibbons, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, singer Helen Reddy, Alfonso Ribeiro, Victoria Rowell ("Diagnosis Murder"), Fred Willard ("Best of Show"), John O'Hurley ("Seinfeld," "To Tell the Truth"), plus cast members of "Star Trek: Voyager," "Everybody Loves Raymond," "NYPD Blue" and many other shows. The Parade opened with a performance of the "Circle of Life" from The Lion King.

In 1999, Jessica Simpson met Nick Lachey at the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the two were soon married. The Grand Marshal of that 68th annual parade was actor Beau Bridges, and celebrities who rode in the parade include David Arquette, Julio Iglesias Jr., Edward James Olmos, David Hasselhoff, 98 Degrees, Mindy Sterling, Erik Estrada, Tia Carrere, Fabian, Leeza Gibbons, Donna Mills, Frankie Avalon and a host of cast members from TV shows like "Boy Meets World," "King of Queens," "NYPD Blue," "Beverly Hills 90210," "Walker: Texas Ranger" and "Just Shoot Me."

In 1998, the Grand Marshall was Robert Urich ("Vegas" and "The Love Boat"). Some of the celebs who rode in the 1998 parade included Jeri Ryan and Ethan Phillips ('Seven of Nine' and 'Neelix' on "Star Trek Voyager"), Mickey Rooney, Donny and Marie Osmond, Dick Van Dyke, Shirley Jones, Loni Anderson ("WKRP in Cincinnati"), Lou Diamond Phillips ("The Big Hit"), Marion Ross ("Happy Days"), Ben Savage & Rider Strong ("Boy Meets World"), Corey Parker ("The Love Boat"), Orson Bean & Alley Mills ("Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman"), Barbara Eden ("I Dream of Jeannie"), Vicki Lawrence ("Mama's Family"), Isabel Sanford ("The Jeffersons"), Barbara Billingsly ("Leave It To Beaver"), Ruth Buzzi ("Laugh-In"), Nancy Sinatra, 98 Degrees, Little Richard, Pat Boone, Steve Allen, Debby Boone, Melissa Manchester, Harvey Korman,and Connie Stevens (not to mention cartoon characters from"The Simpsons," "Dilbert" and "The Rug Rats.")

Other celebrities who have appeared in the parade in the last few years include:

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Will Smith, Gregory Peck, Tony Curtis, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Betty White, Rodney Dangerfield, Tori Spelling, Walter Matthau, Beau Bridges, Dom Deluise, John Denver, Lou Rawls, Ed  Asner, George Hamilton, David Carradine, Englebert Humperdinck, Zsa Zsa Gabor, and Ned Beatty.

Previous decades have seen such celebrity participants as Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Stewart, Sammy Davis Jr., George Burns & Gracie Allen, Red Skelton, Dorothy Lamour, Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, Wallace Berry, Basil Rathbone, Fanny Brice and Rudy Vallee.

There have also been numerous well-known TV personalities riding in the parade in recent years, such as Lea Thompson (from "Caroline in the City"), Vanna White ("Wheel of Fortune"), the twins from "Two of a Kind" (Ashley & Mary Kate Olsen), Jaleel White ("Steve Urkel" of "Family Matters"), Jessica Biel ("Seventh Heaven"), Loretta Swit ("M*A*S*H"), Jonathan Silverman ("The Single Guy"), Harry Anderson ("Night Court"), Zackery Ty Bryan (Brad on "Home Improvement"), "Picket Fences" ' Ray Walston and Fyvush Finkel,   "NYPD Blue" 's Dennis Franz, twins Tamara & Tia Mowry ("Sister Sister"), Gena Lee Nolan & Alexandra Paul of "Baywatch," Lynda Carter ("Wonder Woman"), Marion Ross ("Happy Days"), Scott Baio ("Charles in Charge"), Eric Estrada ("CHIPs"), "Star Trek" 's Kate Mulgrew ('Captain Janeway'), Lavar Burton ('Geordi'), Tim Russ (Tuvok) and George Takei ('Sulu'), Fred Dryer (of "Hunter"), Michael Damian ("The Young & the Restless"), Steve Allen, Rich Little, Martin Landau, Nell Carter, Jack Klugman, Ed McMahon, Bozo the Clown, Elvira and "Entertainment Tonight" 's John Tesh, plus lots of kid stars and other minor celebs from various sitcoms.

And that's not mentioning the biggest star of the show - Santa!

The reserved grandstand bleachers are located along the prime area where the stars are interviewed for the live TV broadcast, but it's still difficult for spectators to hear the interviews (unless you bring along a portable TV or TV-band radio.) Nonetheless, these bleachers seats provide a fine view of the stars, and the marching bands perform at their best along this early section of the parade route, since they know they're on TV. (And if you're in the right spot in those bleachers, there's a chance that your face will be broadcast all over the world, too!)

So much for the good news. Now here is the bad news:

· Traffic: getting to and from the parade can be murder. Even as early as two hours before the parade time, the Hollywood (101) Freeway backs up for a mile before the Santa Monica exit, and surface streets in the area are a real zoo. Trying to find a parking spot is even worse. I'm sure that many people who arrive late end up spending the entire parade either stuck in a traffic jam or looking for a place to park. It can be very frustrating. (The solution? Come early. Or else take the subway.)


· Crowds: over one million people turn out each year to view the parade, so finding a curbside viewing spot isn't easy. A lot of people are disappointed each year. Even those who buy reserved grandstand seats are crammed into the bleachers like sardines on very hard, uncomfortable bench seats, basically unable to move during the three-hour wait. (The solution? Buy the reserved seats, then bring along a seat cushion.)


· Cold: This is a night time parade, and the weather in late November is often quite chilly (at least by L.A. standards), with temperatures often falling into the 50's or even the 40's. Exposed skin can become painfully chilled, especially after hours of sitting motionless in a grandstand seat. (The solution? Dress very warmly!)


· The Wait: the parade lasts for two hours, and you have to show up at least two hours in advance to have any chance of getting a viewing spot. So that means sitting cramped in the same spot, relatively motionless, for at least four hours, sometimes in bone-chilling cold. (The solution? Be patient, and be sure to stand up and stretch your legs every now and then...)

In short, trying to watch the parade in person can be a physically uncomfortable experience, even under the best of circumstances; be prepared for a long, tiring wait in the cold.

So is the parade worth all the trouble? Well, yes.  I suppose everyone should see the parade in person at least once. But having said that, I might add that I'll be watching it on TV this year from the warm comfort of my living room...

Reserved seat tickets will be available by calling (866) PARADE1.

Parade Route: The parade takes place along a 2.5-mile route that includes Hollywood Boulevard, Vine Street, and Sunset Boulevard. It starts near the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Orange (in front of the famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre), then heads east on Hollywood Blvd to Vine Street, where it turns right (south) on Vine and goes south on Vine to Sunset Boulevard. It turns right (west) on Sunset, and marches back west to Orange, ending up in front of Hollywood High School. (Click here to see a map of the parade route.)

Parking: Parking may be available at the Hollywood & Highland parking structure (which is discounted with validation with a purchase from the center), and at two lots on either side of Hollywood Boulevard at 1632 and 1720 Las Palmas. Other public (paid) lots are available along the main streets in the area, such as Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Vine Street, as well as at Hollywood High. Rates vary. Traffic is unbearably congested in the area before and after the parade. All of the involved streets are sealed off. Almost all freeway traffic is funneled onto Santa Monica Boulevard, and a big traffic jam is already building by two hours before the parade time. If you come, arrive early. After the parade, my advice is to take minor surface streets away from the scene, and avoid the crowds trying to get back on the Hollywood Freeway.

One way to avoid the parking hassle is to take the new Metro subway. There are now subway stations at Hollywood & Highland as well as at Hollywood & Vine. So you can park far away from the traffic nightmare, ride underground to the heart of the parade route.

Admission Price: The parade is free, if you are willing to take your chances when it comes to finding curbside viewing spot. Tickets for reserved grandstand seating are available for $35 this year. The bleacher seats are set up near the start of the parade, just west of Hollywood & Highland, where the TV cameras are positioned. Phone (866) PARADE1 to reserve your tickets.

Hours:  The parade takes place on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving. In 2009, the parade will be held on Sunday, November 29, at 6 PM. Be sure to phone ahead to check the date for this year's parade. But the huge crowds force you to arrive earlier. If you have reserved grandstand seats, you must be in those seats an hour earlier. And if you do not have reserved seats, then it would be advisable to show up much earlier, to avoid traffic jams. If you have a reserved seat, I would suggest being near the Santa Monica exit to the Hollywood Freeway by at least an hour and forty five minutes early. If you do not have a reserved seat, then be in Hollywood by at least three hours before the parade. And expect a long wait.

 Getting there: From the Hollywood (101) Freeway take the Santa Monica Blvd exit and head west. (The entire parade route and all intersecting streets will be closed to traffic until after the parade. In addition, key exits to the Hollywood Freeway will also be temporarily closed before and after the parade, as early as noon. Phone in advance for exact street closures.)

Bear in mind that there are new subway stations at Hollywood & Highland as well as at Hollywood & Vine. To avoid the traffic and parking problems, you can park farther away from the hassle and simply take the subway to the heart of the parade route.

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