Get Ready for Veterans’ Day Light Parade

photo credit: Cathy Breslow/Breslow Imaging

The Tap Dancing Christmas Trees at the 2022 Castro Valley Light Parade.

Castro Valley’s Light Parade is returning to Castro Valley Boulevard on Saturday, Nov. 11, sponsored by the Castro Valley and Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. Honoring our veterans is this year’s theme. 

The boulevard will be lined with booths from Lake Chabot Road to Redwood Road, with lots of food, bands, and a kids' area by Club Anywhere starting at 3 p.m. The parade will start at 5:30, as it’s starting to get dark.

“There are only two rules for entries,” said Mel Speed, who’s been helping organize the event for years for the Chamber. “You have to light up, and you can’t have any Santas on board.” 

That’s because Santa, just one of him, is at the end of the parade, joined by reindeer on his sleigh. After the parade, people are welcome to get on the float and take pictures with him. 

After the parade, festivities continue along the boulevard until 9 p.m. Entertainment is still being finalized but includesAbel Quiroga and Jay Rhodes, and Fleet Street with vocalist Corinne Kelly. 

You may have seen the young duo Abel Quiroga and Jay Rhodes rocking out to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and Twisted Sister at the Fall Festival or Alameda County Fair. Fleet Street has played at all the recent Light Parades and throughout the area.

Corinne Kelly said Fleet Street will likely play before and after the parade. Other entertainment schedule details are still being worked out. 

Dayna Speed, the Chamber’s event coordinator, said there are already 25 parade entries lined up, with a month to go before the event, but there is plenty of room for more.  

“You can roll, or you can walk, and families are welcome to enter as well as businesses,” she said.

You can enter by going to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080848ACA92AA2FB6-castro#/, by calling the Chamber at (510) 537-5300 or by emailing info@castrovalleychamber.com

You can also arrange a booth or become a sponsor by contacting Chamber Executive Director Gary Slate at gary@castrovalleychamber com.

Slate said he’s looking forward to the event, coming off a strong year for the Chamber as the pandemic recovery continues. Membership of local businesses is now up to 299, from 222 not long ago, and he’s hoping all local small businesses will consider joining. 

You can get more information about the Light Parade at Edenareachamber.com/cvlightparade2023