MEETING DATE:
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
SUBJECT:
Title
DISCUSSION OF THE FUTURE OF THE SAN MARCOS HOLIDAY PARADE, INCLUDING WHETHER THE CITY SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ORGANIZING AND PRODUCING THE EVENT, AS REQUESTED BY COUNCILMEMBERS LEBLANG AND MUSGROVE
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION regarding the San Marcos Holiday Parade, as desired.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable.
Executive Summary
Councilmembers LeBlang and Musgrove have requested that an item be placed on the agenda for City Council discussion regarding the future of the San Marcos Holiday Parade.
The Holiday Parade has been a longstanding San Marcos community tradition. Historically, however, the parade has not been organized or produced by the City. For many years, the event was organized by the local Kiwanis organization, with the City supporting the parade through financial and in-kind resources.
Earlier this year, the Lake San Marcos Kiwanis Club indicated that it was considering ending its role as parade organizer. In response, City staff began evaluating potential options for continuing the parade and subsequently worked with Kiwanis to explore whether additional City funding, volunteer support, or modifications to the parade route could provide a viable path forward. Following those discussions, Kiwanis provided formal confirmation in July that it would not host the 2026 parade.
Since receiving that confirmation, staff has continued working to identify a feasible alternative. No community organization has agreed to assume responsibility for producing the parade. As a result, continuing the Holiday Parade in 2026 would likely require the City to assume a substantially greater role in planning, funding, and producing the event.
Discussion
The annual Holiday Parade began in 1995 and has traditionally followed an approximately 2.5-mile route beginning at Palomar College and ending at the Civic Center. Historically, Kiwanis has been responsib...
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