Street Closures, Update For Beaumont's Dec. 11 Holiday Events

SAN GORGONIO PASS AREA, CA — Police sirens could get a bit loud this weekend in Banning and Beaumont as officers escort some special VIPs. Here's the rundown:

The fun kicks off early Saturday morning when the Beaumont and Banning police departments, along with the Morongo Tribal Police, host the annual Shop with a Cop event. Police officers will take needy kids shopping at local stores for holiday gifts. The event will include a lights-and-sirens escort from the City of Banning to the Beaumont Walmart at 2nd Street Marketplace.

Next on tap is the Holiday Light Parade, slated for 5 p.m. Saturday. The parade begins at the intersection of Beaumont Avenue and 10th Street. It will feature decorated floats and golf carts, marching bands and a number of civic organizations sporting their holiday spirit, according to organizers.

The parade will require street closures along Beaumont Avenue and 6th Street that will begin at 3:30 p.m. Saturday:

• Beaumont Avenue, from 6th to 12th streets, will be closed in both directions.
• 6th Street, from Beaumont to Palm avenues, will also be shuttered in both directions.

The parade route will start at Beaumont Avenue and 10th Street, then roll down Beaumont Avenue, turn on E. 6th Street, and end at Orange Avenue at Beaumont Civic Center.

See a map of the parade route and street closures below.

After the parade, Old Saint Nick will park his parade sleigh and hop aboard a fire truck at the Civic Center for an 18-mile goodwill tour through the city — with a police escort.

Dubbed "Operation Santa, " the ride will feature police patrol units in front and behind, and will make a circuit through numerous residential areas, including along Oak Valley Parkway, Orange Avenue, Trevino Trail, Harmon Heights and the Sicily neighborhood.

The goal is to spread some holiday cheer and give children a chance to visit with Kris Kringle while meeting some of the city's public safety officials.

More information, including a live map of the Operation Santa journey, will be available the night of the event at beaumont.doublemap.com/map/.