Christine Carrillo Three-year-old Selina Nicoletti of Placentia...

Christine Carrillo

Three-year-old Selina Nicoletti of Placentia helped kick off the

holiday season in Surf City with her festive performance as a

Christmas present Sunday night in the Light A Light of Love parade

for the Huntington Youth Shelter.

As one of many participants in the parade, Selina’s Christmas

present costume inspired audience members to embrace the upcoming

holiday season with open arms.

“The little kids, the little presents, they’re the cutest thing

I’ve seen,” said Donna Taylor, a Fountain Valley resident who

attended the parade for the first time. “I was a little hesitant to

come to this thing because I’m not ready for Christmas. ... But the

kids are, and that’s what makes this fun.”

The children are also what has driven the event for the last six

years.

“We want youth groups in it and it’s for children,” said Mary Lou

Shattuck, the event chair and president of the Huntington Youth

Shelter Guild. “It’s really about youngsters. We want it be a

celebration of youth and their activities.”

While the parade lasted about 10 minutes and ran for only three

blocks, the main focus of the event was the lighting of the

snowflakes that line the pier and part of Downtown.

“We have tried to keep the parade kind of a small thing, but we do

want it to grow,” Shattuck said. “The parade grew out of the

snowflakes being turned on for the season. That is the main thrust of

all of this.”

Carrying the idea that light symbolizes hope, local businesses and

individuals purchased the snowflakes hanging along the pier

demonstrating their holiday spirit through their monetary donation to

the shelter and support of the children.

As a result of such sponsorships, 6-foot snowflakes shine on the

pier and 5-foot ones light up Main Street, gracing the city with

symbols of hope.

And the holiday season, for many young children, wouldn’t be

complete without a visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

For Mary-Ellen Cianciabella, who played Mrs. Claus, it’s a big

push to her holiday as well.

“I have a special little part in my heart for this parade,” said

Cianciabella, the administrator and program manager for the shelter.

With Indian princesses, Bernese Mountain dogs pulling sleighs, the

Huntington Beach High School drill team, the Fire Department,

caroling and much more, the event tried to bring the community

together to help its youth and celebrate the season.

“It really makes you remember what this whole thing is all about,”

Shattuck said.

* CHRISTINE CARRILLO covers education. She can be reached at

(714) 965-7177 or by e-mail at christine.carrillo@latimes.com.