The City of Norwalk celebrated Halloween with the Arturo Sanchez Sr. Annual Halloween Parade on Oct. 19.
This parade is held annually by the Arturo Sanchez family and the city of Norwalk to bring together many different communities to celebrate Halloween. This parade was the 36th year that it was held.
A variety of local businesses, high school marching bands, car clubs and many more attend the event every year. Approximately 9,000 people participated in the parade and over 10,000 people gathered around the city to watch the parade.
Near the beginning of the parade the Norwalk City Council members each rode in their own respective vehicles waving and wishing the viewers a happy Halloween. The members included: Mayor Margarita Rios, Vice Mayor Luigi Vernola, Council member Tony Ayala, Council member Jennifer Perez and Council member Leonard Shryock.
Cerritos College President Dr. Jose Fierro rode in the parade waving to the crowd and wishing everyone the best.
In regards to the parade Fierro said, “It was great. I had a good time. I have attended all of these parades in my time, except for one I could not attend. The city supports this parade, and there is a good partnership between them and the Sanchez family. The Sanchez family is an iconic family, that is community centered, which is great.”
The parade was filled with groups showing off their culture and traditions like the Danza Azteca Huehueteotl and Los Charros de Cerritos.
The group Danza Azteca Huehueteotl performed their Aztec dances throughout the entirety of the parade route. The Rebel Town Roller Derby also roller skated down the route and was handing out candy and flyers to people enjoying the parade.
Norwalk citizen Brittany Espinosa, 19, attended the parade to support her sister performing with Santa Fe High School.
Espinosa on the parade said, “It was really fun and brought everyone to come together and enjoy it. It is important because it unites the community to have fun, putting aside troubles. It creates a good environment.”
The Arturo A. Sanchez Elementary school rode on their decorated Day of the Dead float with many of the children wearing bright colors and having their face painted as a skull.
A variety of car clubs cruised through the parade in their Halloween themed decorated low riders.
Los Charros de Cerritos ended the parade by galloping on more than 70 horses as the front two Charros held a Mexican and American Flag.
These Charros are a group of horseman from Mexico who are dressed in a decorated jacket and pants.
City of Norwalk Director of Parks and Recreation Services, Bill Kearns, also participated in the parade.
Kearns on the parade said, “We got great feedback, this parade brings the community together. Thousands of people participated and over 10,000 people watched the parade. This is special because it brings the community together, and that is important.”
The parade started at Waite Middle School on Norwalk Boulevard and Mapledale Ave where there was a costume contest being held before the parade. The route ultimately continued until the finish line at Hermosillo Park.
The Arturo Sanchez Sr. Halloween Parade will continue next year and continue with the tradition produced from the past 36 years.
