The 59th annual La Jolla Christmas Parade is on Sunday, but some local residents think it’s time for the popular event to be renamed in order to reflect the community’s changing population, which includes many beliefs that aren’t associated with Christianity.
One of the people that’s been beating the drum for change is long-time La Jolla resident and physician David Katz. He believes that a more secular name for the parade would be more inclusive for the community.
"This is a very, very heterogeneous community. Many religions...atheists...you name it. And there are people who are offended and actually put off by having a community parade named after one religion,” said Katz.
Katz wrote an article that appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune last week which was aimed at bringing public awareness to the issue and to open a dialogue with the people who run the event. Katz says that for over 10 years, the organizers have resisted recognizing La Jolla as a multi-faith community with many beliefs and ideologies not associated with one specific religion. In his mind, the parade should represent everyone.
KPBS reached out to Ann Kerr Bache, president of the La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival Foundation. She declined our request for an interview, but said in an email about the requests over the years to change the name: "They have been considered and rejected by a large majority of the La Jolla Community as well as unanimously by the volunteers who spend countless hours organizing it and the community members who support it with generous donations (all funding is donated by individual citizens)."
