The Magical Christmas Caroling Truck Turns 30!
Who says we don’t have traditions in the NoHo Arts Distict? If you live in North Hollywood, you probably already know about the Magical Christmas Caroling Truck. If you don’t, now is the time to get to know this 30-year-old NoHo/Toluca Lake tradition. Every year since 1984 on Christmas Eve, the 62-foot tractor-trailer, adorned with magnificent Christmas scenes and thousands of sparkling lights, spreads Yuletide cheer in the neighboring east Valley communities. More than 200 singers and dancers, accompanied by a 20,000-watt sound system, serenade local residents with Christmas carols.
Once the Magical Christmas Caroling Truck is in NoHo or your neighborhood, you can tune into the music at FM 88.3 and listen in. Print out the map of approximate locations and times and join in…you can’t miss it.
Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
5:00 PM to 11:00 PM rain or shine.
(see route map) http://www.christmascaroling.org/map.htm
The Magical Christmas Caroling Truck tradition was born Christmas Eve 1984 after a recording session, when 12 of the musicians and engineers were inspired to decorate an old dump truck with some twinkle lights and go Christmas caroling. Equipped with their drums, bass, keyboard, a few microphones and a lot of holiday spirit, they caroled the entire evening. The response from the 10-mile route was overwhelming and every Christmas Eve since, the carolers and the Truck have made their appearance in the same neighborhoods.
Donations – The Magical Christmas Truck is supported by all the people involved and the local community thru a local non-profit organization and all funds are directly used for the event expenses. Donations are even accepted from most of all the carolers and applied directly towards the costs of the event. Each year the event has just about covered its expenses, thanks to the generous donations from those who support it. In the past we have had donations of lumber to build the float, Christmas lights, Christmas hats, small teddy bears to give away, cookies to give away, speakers, generators, sound systems, radios, musicians, and on and on.
We think their description from their Facebook page sums up all the fun.
“Our carols range from “Silent Night” to rock ‘n roll versions of classic Christmas carols! Residents along the route host friends and family at their homes in anticipation of the truck and Christmas Spirit that the truck brings. Characters such as Frosty the Snowman and Santa’s Little Helpers walk around in the crowd and hand out candy canes, wishing people a “Merry Christmas.” The holiday season is a great opportunity for us to touch the lives of people from every walk of life. We choose to spend this evening together to be a door of hope and blessing to those who may need encouragement, and to bring as much joy as we can to the community.”
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