The annual Christmas truck parade in Eureka, Ca. is one of several parades around the world that pays homage to haulers.In 1931, for the first time in Hollywood’s now famous Christmas parade, Santa gave up his reindeer and opted to be pulled through the parade by a truck.
Though it’s hard to say exactly when a truck first appeared in a Christmas parade, it’s safe to say that they’re now as important to parades as hardworking elves are to Santa.
Trucks of all sizes can be found in Christmas parades around the world.
Some may be devoid of lights and decorations as they humbly and dutifully tow a float, while others are stars of the show.
Search YouTube for ‘Christmas truck parade’ and 43,700 results pop-up. Some even carry trucks in their title, such as the Christmas Truck Parade in Eureka, Calif., the Campbell River Christmas Truck Parade in British Columbia, the Annual Fire Truck Christmas Parade in Barrington, N.J. and the Christmas Lighted Truck Parade in Victoria, British Columbia.
As with all parades, the festive trucks honk as they roll down the road amid cheering and waving spectators. However, some responses they elicit are definitely unique to a truck parade.
“Ha! That’s a sewage truck!” a parade attendant is heard saying and laughing as a sewage pump truck rolls by with thousands of glimmering lights in the Victoria parade.
We’ve provided links to that video and others below. Thanks to all the participants who took the time to decorate their trucks that haul priceless loads of holiday cheer, and thanks to video buffs for uploading videos to YouTube.
Christmas truck parade in Victoria, B.C.
Christmas truck parade in Eureka, Ca.
Christmas truck parade in Campbell River, B.C.
Christmas firetruck parade in Barrington, N.J.
