by A band marcher in Pasadena asks how long a Santa parade lasts, what a foothill is, and what the Rose Parade is
A Letter to Santa from Pasadena, California
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa! My name is Brody and I am 8 years old. I live in Pasadena, California, a sunny city at the foot of the mountains, famous for a giant flower parade. I love skateboarding and marching in my school band. My question is: how long is a Santa Claus parade? My geography question is: what is a foothill? And my social studies question is: what is the Rose Parade, and why is it a tradition? Thanks, Santa!
Love, Brody (age 8)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hello Brody! A band marcher in the city of parades asks just the right question. Most Santa Claus parades last about one to two hours from start to finish, filled with bright floats, marching bands like yours, dancers, and of course me waving merrily from the very last float. Some parades are short and sweet, while the big, famous ones can stretch a good couple of hours. However long it lasts, a parade is one of the most joyful ways to welcome the holiday season.
Your geography question: what is a foothill
A foothill is a smaller hill that sits at the base of a tall mountain range, like a stepping stone leading up to the higher peaks. Your own Pasadena rests in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Foothills are often gentle and green, a soft and lovely transition between the flatlands and the towering mountains above. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: the Rose Parade
The Rose Parade is a famous parade held every New Year’s Day right in your own Pasadena, featuring enormous floats covered entirely in real flowers, along with marching bands and horses. It has been a beloved tradition for over a hundred years. Traditions like this bring a whole community together and give people a joyful way to start the new year. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
March proudly for me, Brody. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
