Thousands of residents and visitors kicked off the winter holiday season Dec. 5 with the 30th annual Kiwanis Club Morgan Hill Holiday Parade.
The parade route traversed Monterey Road through downtown Morgan Hill. Local young dancers, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, high school marching bands, public officials and other nonprofit service organizations joined the procession of holiday lights, characters and music.
Santa Claus on his Magic Ship, manned by Boy Scouts Troop 799, brought up the end of the parade. Spectators and performers joined Santa and other community members after the parade for a tree lighting and live music at the Community and Cultural Center.