HISTORY OF THE PARADE

Prominent El Cajon businessman Thomas Wigton was driving home from Los Angeles one rainy evening and had a brainstorm! The El Cajon business community had to give the children a Christmas present and he hit on the idea of a parade. Everybody loves a parade and El Cajon didn't have one yet but Tom knew the kids in El Cajon would love it!

Seven of them met in El Cajon accountant David Cathers living room in 1947. Jack Maranda remembers it well. "When Tom Wigton asked you to help, you really didn't say no to him," Jack chuckled. "We all thought it was a great idea but we really didn't know how we were going to do it."

They received a $150 donation from the City of El Cajon's Chamber of Commerce, called meetings and planned the first parade for Friday night, November 28, 1947. The Mayor of El Cajon made a televised announcement the night before the parade. "We're having a parade tomorrow and want you all to come." Population in El Cajon was approximately 1,500 and parade night was bitterly cold. However, about 25,000 spectators packed the short streets to watch the parade! Three floats were entered and the El Cajon Rotary Club probably got the most attention. A tree was part of the display and the float's Santa climbed it to give the audience a better view. His costume got stuck and he was suspended from the tree for the duration of the parade. Everyone thought it was planned and loved it.

The parade's success and reputation spread throughout the country. The third parade drew 100,000 and an ad hoc committee was formed to plan the next parades. In 1950, the non-profit Mother Goose Parade Association was formed. By-laws were created, officers were elected and the Mother Goose Parade Association logo and name were registered as trademarks.

In 1950, the parade expanded to include a parade Queen and Court. Young women in the area were invited to compete in the Queen's contest to raise funds for the parade and the Rotary Club, El Cajon Lions, Kiwanis Clubs and Chamber of Commerce actively participated to ensure the parade's success. Decals were sold to raise money and grandstand seats were made available. The growth was visible but Mother Nature stepped in to throw a curve. Rain fell so hard that year a float driver smashed into a light pole because he couldn't see. The parade was postponed until 8:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving night and, despite the holiday, the parade still drew over 100,000 spectators. In 1982, a weekend downpour forced cancellation.

In 1963, history stepped in. More than 300,000 spectators and 94 units were in place when word was received President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The parade was postponed to December 1st due to the tragedy.

The parade attracted over 400,000 in 1973 when Mickey and Minnie Mouse were Co-Grand Marshals and brought many Disneyland friends along to delight the spectators. That year, the "Mother Goose Ball" was the event of San Diego County and drew socialites from all over the Southland.

Prominent personalities, for all ages, who have participated in the parade include:

Adam Rodriguez	Alan Thicke	Amy & Zoe Schlagel
Anna Maria Perez De Tagle	Aria Wallace	Ashley Benson
Barbara Rush	Barry Sullivan	Barry Williams
Bobby Coleman	Carolyn Hennesy	Cassie Scerbo
Chris Knight	Christopher Atkins	Corbin Bleu
David Niven	Dean Cain	Devon Werkheiser
Drake Bell	Efren Ramirez	Emily Osment
Erik Estrada	Erin Moran	Eva La Rue
Glen Ford	Greg Grunberg	Jaime Gomez
Jeanette McCurdy	Jerry Mathers	Jesse McCartney
Jillian Claire	John Schneider	Joseph Mascolo
Juliette Prowse	Justin Martin	Katharine McPhee
Katrina Smirnoff	KayCee Stroh	Kimberlin Brown
Kyle Massey	Liza Minneli	Lou Ferrigno®
Mario Lopez	Mason Vale Cotton	Matthew Underwood
Maxwell Perry Cotton	Michael Copon	Michael Petersen
Mickey Jones	Natalie Wood	Raja (RJ) Fenske
Raviv Ullman	Raymond Ochoa	Robert Wagner
Roselyn Sanchez	Ryan Ochoa	Sammi Hanratty
Sara Paxton	Scott Elrod	Taylor Marie Atelian
Tony Oller	Tori Spelling	Will Geer

. . . . and the list goes on and on.

In addition, the Association invites cartoon characters that come to life, innumerable elected officials and distinguished honorees. The Clydesdale Horses, U. S. Navy and U. S. Marine Corps bands have also performed and thrilled the spectators.

The parade association Board of Directors continues to consist of prominent members of the community who volunteer time and money to keep Tom Wigton's dream alive and thriving.

The association continues to be more than just a parade. It conducts annual programs and workshops to help strengthen the lives of others. Additional programs and workshops are continuously considered and added. It takes a lot of effort from sponsors, community leaders and volunteers to facilitate these meaningful activities.

Spectators line the streets as the parade continues with different themes each year always the "Sunday before Thanksgiving". With stunning floats, giant balloons, colorful clowns, marching bands, marching and/or heritage dancing of different ethnic groups, and special units. This parade has something for all families. The association works hard to ensure that our gift for the community will continue to thrill spectators with the old-fashioned spirit of magic and fun that is America. And we don't want to forget, Santa Claus, as he comes to town at the end of the parade in his sleigh, to ring in the Holiday Season.

This cultural parade has evolved into San Diego's largest parade and the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi. It is truly what it was originally intended to be . . . a "Celebration of Children Everywhere" because without the children, there is no future. It's a gift to our community and to our country. But it's mainly our gift to children of all ages . . . a day of mystical imagination, unhindered joy and excitement - a day to be remembered the rest of the year and the rest of their lives.

That is what the Mother Goose Parade has always been about.