Newsroom > Web Articles

 

12.10.02 - On Sunday, December 8, an estimated 20,000 people turned out for the 45th annual La Jolla Holiday Parade - with Calit² director Larry Smarr participating as one of five marshals honored in this year's festivities. As Technology Marshal, he was selected to represent both UCSD (which is located in La Jolla), and the companies and other institutions that make up the town's vibrant high-tech sector. "It's really a part of the economic growth engine in La Jolla, and it's also providing the solutions for a lot of the problems that are coming with growth," said Smarr, who is also a professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the Jacobs School of Engineering. "I think we have to learn to live with both the upsides and the downsides of technology. The fact that La Jolla created a marshal position indicates how important technology has become to the future of our community."

Larry Smarr and family wave to the crowd.

The 90-minute parade along an eight-block route downtown was organized by the La Jolla Town Council and co-chaired by Ann Kerr Bache and Gail Forbes. San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy led the list of local dignitaries joining the procession. This year's Grand Marshal was Jack McGrory, the longtime City Manager of San Diego who is now Managing Director of the Price Group. Joining McGrory and Calit²'s Smarr as marshals were Willis Allen (Civic Marshal), Evans Hotels owner Anne Evans (Traditional), and retired Col. Ed Ramsey (Military Marshal). "In the selection of parade marshals, the committee tried to emphasize values of education, philanthropy, culture and service by honoring citizens of achievement," said co-chair Bache. "We also wanted marshals whom the thousands of children and young adults could look up to, and on both counts this year's marshals possess those qualities."

This year's Holiday Parade appeared to be the biggest yet, featuring more than 150 entries including marching bands, equestrians, floats, ROTC units, drill teams, dancers, scout troops, clowns, antique cars and more. The all-volunteer event involved roughly 1,200 staffers and participants from organizations including the YMCA, Rotary Club, Toastmasters of La Jolla, La Jolla Recreation Center, Promote La Jolla and the Kiwanis Club.