On Dec. 5, Clark Magnet High School helped the Montrose Christmas Parade Association mark its 39th year of bringing the community together for the holidays. Clark Magnet is one of the gold sponsors of the Montrose Christmas Parade.

Since last year, Clark Magnet’s cinema class has televised the parade live on Channel 6. The high school’s robotics team, 696, and Bike Club also participate every year.

Senior Sipan Nazaryan, a member of the robotics team at Clark, has participated in the parade for three years. “I think it’s essential for a robotics team to be well integrated with the community, so we never miss the parade,” Nazaryan said. “The parade helps us show that robotics isn’t just about building robotics, it’s about building connections with people.” To Nazaryan and other robotics members, the parade also provides an opportunity for potential sponsors to help with their costly program.

Everything from the participants in the parade to even the setup of the event was well organized. The layout of Montrose allows parade watchers to gather on the crosswalks and street corners to set up chairs and blankets while also enjoying hot food and refreshments from the nearby restaurants. The shops were also open so people could do some early Christmas shopping.

The parade started at 6 p.m. with the arrival of Santa Claus flying over the crowd in a helicopter. Soon after, over 100 participants walked or drove from Honolulu Ave. and Rosemont Ave. to Verdugo Road. The participants in the parade ranged from Cub Scouts and Girl Scout troops, to the various organizations and youth groups within the La Crescenta area.

“It’s such a fun, family-oriented event,” said one of the onlookers of the parade, Dimha Sagal. Sagal and her husband, Matt, stood at the intersection of Honolulu Ave. and Ocean View Blvd. and tried to spot their daughter who was in one of the marching bands participating in the parade. The Sagals have been coming to watch the parade and to support their daughter in her trumpet-playing for the past five years. “The parade gives our daughter a nice opportunity to show her skills, and we’re really proud of her,” Matt Sagal said.

At most events, the large crowds would prove to be difficult to handle at such an event. However, with attentive police officers, event coordinators and volunteers, the Montrose Christmas Parade has always been peaceful. “This isn’t my first year helping out at the parade,” said Glendale Police Lieutenant Lola Abrahamian. “I’m always called in to help out and I really don’t mind because it’s just wonderful. Since mostly families and kids come to the parade, there’s never any trouble.” The police even joined the parade and rode on their motorcycles in a synchronised circle after Santa’s helicopter appearance.