Spreading holiday cheer
December 13, 2013
Crowds cheered, dance groups performed, and horses stampeded down Downey and Florence Avenues on Sunday, Dec. 8 for the Annual Christmas Parade to celebrate the upcoming holidays.
The streets were surrounded, sidewalks congested, and bystanders stood on their toes to snatch a view of the parade walkers marching and waving down the road.
Local residents propped up their banners, displaying their businesses, organizations, and dance classes. The fire department waved while perched on their red trucks and were followed by a Wells Fargo carriage and Mario A. Guerra, Downey’s mayor, who waved to the crowd with his wife and two children smiling and sitting in a vehicle behind him.
The entertainment riled up the audience, evoking a storm of applause. The Ballet Folklorico of the city of Bell Gardens performed its traditional dances, the performers ranging from young children to more skillful teenagers. The hula dancers, with their elaborate costumes brought smiles to the watchful crowd.
Daniela Perez, a ten-year-old student from Mrs. Tuley’s Hawaiian dance class strutted down the street with flowers in her hair and a grass skirt and enjoyed the animated viewers.
“I felt excited and then worried that I might do a step wrong, but it was easy,” Perez said.
Families joined the fun, and parents brought their young children to enjoy the festivities and the environment.
Maley Rodriguez enjoyed the parade on the sideline along with her husband and two young children.
“[My favorite part was] the ambiance and everyone is so friendly,” Rodriguez said. “There’s no hushing.”
Other parade viewers observed the passing marching bands and dancers, solo or with their pets.
“My little cousin is in the parade; he’s in band for Bert Lynn Middle School,” Krystal Cortez said with a small pooch in hand. “I brought my dog so he come out and enjoy it with me.”
The residents of Downey and surrounding cities amped up for the month of December, the time for joy, unity, and community to come together and celebrate holiday cheer.

The editor had never seen her future predicted this way; moving from Peru at the age of three limited her English, proving difficult for her to adjust to the new language. “During elementary, I was bad at English, but its something I later improved in,” Sanchez said. She not only improved in a foreign language, but she also grew to like the challenge she accustomed to. After overcoming this difficulty proved to be a great strength in Sanchez, using it to her advantage when confronted by deadlines as well as schoolwork.
But beyond the classroom is where she enjoys her teen years with friends, listening to music, and enjoying the foods and movies other countries have to offer. “I love Italian food,” the cuisine enthusiast said. “I also like to watch movies in my spare time, especially foreign films.” With having The Downey Legend set as a foundation for her future, Sanchez’ main incentive is to travel the world and live on her own. Although unsure of what college to pursue her journalism career, she knows a UC will suit her in her plan to write for Time Magazine.

Since Triana is an only child, in her free time she enjoys spoiling her dog, Lucy, a golden retriever, who keeps her company and is the subject of many of her freelance photos. When she is not pampering her much-adored puppy this photographer likes to kick her feet up at the end of the day and chant “Goal!” as she watches her favorite sport: soccer, on TV. While at school, she can be found around campus with her best friend of two years, photographer Cindy Macias. The photographer explains that her best friend is the complete opposite of herself. “Cindy has a very strong and bold personality, a little more outgoing than me,” Triana said, “I’m more of a quiet and gentle person.” Her mother who has made Triana the friendly person that she is today inspires Triana’s positive outlook on life and innocent nature. “My mom is the person I look up to,” Triana said. “She is always so happy and positive, and she can never be mean. She is just an overall good person.” Her optimistic attitude keeps Triana going as she aspires to reach her goals and further her education as a photographer.
If you want a picture to show with your comment, go get a gravatar.