On Saturday December 4th, one of Covina’s main thoroughfares was transformed from weekend travel to holiday marvel – featuring festive mobile displays, performances, and floats traveling through Downtown Covina. This year, local businesses A1 Party and Ola Restobar shocked the crowd by setting sail along Badillo Street, with a beautifully lit boat filled with their families sending good cheer and well wishes to the crowd. This is a great example of how businesses have come together in Covina with the strong belief in coworking together and an undeniable drive we call #covinastrong.
The theme this year was “A Miracle on Badillo Street – Celebrating 70 Years of Memories!” This theme was selected in 2019 as the City anticipated the 2020 parade to recognize the 70-year milestone. Unfortunately, along with many events, the 2020 parade was canceled. But tonight, the community came together to celebrate this achievement. No one would have guessed how important this “miracle” message would be in 2021… yet families, organizations, businesses and City Council and staff came out in droves to show how #covinastrong they are together.
The parade’s origins trace back to 1922, when the parade was dedicated to the children during the Depression, and featured farm wagons and equipment. The population of Covina was 2,770 people. The Covina Christmas Parade has certainly grown, along with the City of Covina and surrounding communities, but the dedication to our children and the hometown feel remain hallmarks of this Christmas tradition.
The evening’s Grand Marshal was Laurie McCully, the director of emergency and critical care services at Emanate Health Inter-Community Hospital. She was honored for her commitment and dedication to our community, especially in these challenging times. “Often, I hear stories – your stories – sharing memories of marching in a band, riding in a classic car, or waving from a float. Tonight, new memories will be made … memories that will last a lifetime in the minds and hearts of your children,” Laurie graciously stated. “Whether you have been coming to the parade for years, or this is your first time, we welcome you to our home tonight. We hope you know how thankful we are for you, and what a difference you make in bringing smiles to the faces of hundreds of children, and encouraging and supporting our communities by joining with us. So, thank you for 70 years of memories! Wishing you the Happiest of Holidays and a very Merry Christmas!”
This year, the Covina Christmas Parade Committee dedicated the parade to Don Baker. Don grew up in rural West Covina and made his own first home in Covina. He raised two children and became involved with the Covina Christmas Parade when serving as a Band Booster for his daughter. Don was in the dairy industry and, as a result, maintained a steady supply of ice cream treats for Parade Committee meetings. He could be seen on the parade route every year, wearing his yellow jacket and riding his beloved putt-putt, a mini bike he used to guide entries down the route. Don served as Parade Committee Chairman from 1995-1996. In 2017, Don retired from the committee and joined our Emeritus crew. Don loved the Christmas Parade almost as much as he loved to talk to people. Sadly, we said goodbye to Don back in March of this year. The 70th Annual Covina Christmas Parade was dedicated to the memory of Don Baker for his 30+ years of service to the Parade and the community of Covina.
The full 2021 Covina Christmas Parade Lineup
- 100 Parade Banner – Dedication to the Memory of Don Baker
- 102 Spirit of Northview – Northview High School Band
- 103 Covina-Valley Unified School District Board of Education and Superintendent
- 104 Covina Yellow Ribbon
- 106 Covina Christmas Parade Sponsor Banners
- 108 Grand Marshal – Laurie J. McCully, MSN, RN, NEA-BC Director of Emergency & Critical Care Services, Emanate Health
- 110 Covina Christmas Parade Honors – Emanate Health, 100 Year Anniversary – Thank you First Responders
- 114 Connecting You to the Mobility World – Mobility Connection, Inc.
- 116 Gladstone High School Gladiator Alliance
- 120 Mayor Jorge Marquez
- 122 Mayor Pro Tem Patricia Cortez
- 124 Council Member Walter Allen III
- 126 Council Member John King
- 128 Council Member Victor Linares
- 130 Merry Christmas to All – Covina Woman’s Club
- 140 Damien High School Spartan Regiment
- 142 Home for the Holidays – R & R Estates
- 144 Christmas Fantasy – Dancemaker
- 146 70 Years of Miracles – Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines
- 150 Lighting Up Badillo! – Cub Scout Pack 820
- 152 Foothills Highlander Middle School Band and Drill Team
- 154 Covina Valley Historical Society
- 158 We Roll Slow & Low on Badillo – Techniques Car Club
- 160 Infinity Roller Derby
- 162 South Hills High School Marching Band and Color Guard
- 164 Candy Cane Lane – South Hills High School Pep Squad
- 170 City Manager Chris Marcarello
- 172 City Clerk Mary Lou Walczak
- 174 City Treasurer Geoff Cobbett
- 176 April Buege – 2019-20 Covina-Valley Unified School District Teacher of the Year
- 178 The Grinch Who Found Grace – Luminate Church
- 180 El Monte High School Marching Band
- 200 We Roll Slow & Low on Badillo – Techniques Car Club
- 204 South Hills High School Dance Team
- 206 West Covina Elks
- 208 Kiwanis Merry Christmas – Kiwanis Club of Covina South Hills
- 210 Hollencrest Middle School Husky Band
- 212 Underneath the Christmas Tree – Impact Dance x Wellness
- 214 Police Chief David Povero
- 216 Kenneth Counts – Police Officer of the Year
- 218 Thomas Thayer – Police Professional Staff Employee of the Year
- 220 Carl Glaze – Police Volunteer of the Year
- 222 Covina High School Interact Club – Rotary Club International 2021 Covina Christmas Parade Lineup
- 224 Sierra Vista High School Marching Dons
- 225 Sierra Vista High School Cheer
- 226 Have a Moo-Ry Christmas – Covina High School FFA
- 227 Cub Scout Christmas Memories – Cub Scout Pack 448
- 228 Covina Vikings Youth Football & Cheer Program
- 230 Charter Oak High School Marching Regiment
- 232 Charter Oak Unified School District Governing Board and Superintendent
- 233 Hip Hop Christmas Party – Juice Box Dance Company
- 237 Take Me Back to the Good O’ 1950s – So Cal Outlaws
- 238 The Braves Entertainment Corps – Baldwin Park High School
- 242 Susan Rubio – California State Senator District 22
- 247 Christmas Party – A-1 Party Rental
- 248 Baldwin Park High School Cheer Team
- 250 Blue Rose Christmas – Blue Rose Performing Arts
- 252 Reedley High School Pirate Band
- 254 Covina Valley Optimist Club – Connecting Communities to Empower the Youth
- 260 Covina Valley Cyclery
- 264 Moving Band Stand – Covina Concert Band
- 266 A Tribute to Childhood – Top Billing Entertainment
- 268 South El Monte High School Mighty Eagles
- 302 Carl Flores – Acting Assistant Fire Chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department
- 304 Jessica Post – Firefighter of the Year, Los Angeles County Fire Department
- 306 Los Angeles County Fire Department
- 310 Santiago High School Marching Cavaliers
- 312 Cadillac Kings
- 314 Praise Dance
- 316 John A. Rowland High School Raider Regiment
- 318 John A. Rowland High School Raider Regiment Auxiliary
- 326 Charter Oak Youth Baseball & Softball Association
- 328 Old Guys Enjoying the Ride
- 334 West Covina High School Bulldog Marching Unit
- 338 No Greater Love Than This – Immanuel First Lutheran Church
- 340 Cadillac Kings
- 342 Athens Services
- 350 Theodore Roosevelt High School Rough Rider Band
- 352 Ruben Sanchez
- 354 Rooting for You! – Rooter & Plumbing Masters
- 356 Chick-fil-A Glendora and Azusa
- 360 Garey High School Viking Marching Band
- 362 Ballet Folklorico Internacional
- 366 Alicia Sanchez – Farmers Insurance Company
- 370 Mrs. Claus – Soroptimist International Covina-West Covina
- 372 Covina High School Marching Band and Color Guard
- 378 Santa Claus – Covina Lions Breakfast Club