Local News in Brief : Santa Ana : Mickey Mouse to Join Cantinflas at Parade

Mickey Mouse, along with giant helium balloon characters of Heathcliff the Cat, Popeye, Lambchop and others will join in Saturday’s fourth annual Toys on Parade in downtown Santa Ana.

This year’s grand marshal is Mexico’s internationally famous comedian Mario Moreno, better known as Cantinflas, who was called the “world’s greatest clown” by Charlie Chaplin and who has starred in 42 movies, including “Around the World in 80 Days.”

The parade, whose theme is “Celebrate a World of Holiday Magic,” begins at 10 a.m. at Civic Center Drive and Broadway. Floats and parade members will proceed north on Broadway to 17th Street, then west to Main Street, and south until it ends at Main and Washington Avenue.

Last year, the parade drew 200,000 spectators, and a spokeswoman for the city said she expects a similar turnout. Twenty minutes before the start of the parade, the 80-member International Children’s Choir will perform, with Mickey Mouse conducting them in “It’s a Small World.”

Leading the parade will be a United Way marching band and 400 marchers, creating a three-block-long rainbow leading a colorful float with three hot air balloons. From New Orleans comes the Caribbean music of the U.S. Navy Steel Drum Band, along with a group of dancers, including a fire-eater and a limbo dancer, from the Caribbean called the Afro-Caribbean Dance Ensemble.

Limited street parking is available off the main parade route, but there is ample parking in lots in downtown Santa Ana.