Los Gatos Weekly-Times file photograph by Gary Nougues

This 1993 photograph clearly shows that children are the parade's stars.

Parade Grand Marshal follows grand tradition

By Shari Kaplan

The individual chosen to serve as grand marshal of the town's annual Children's Christmas and Holiday Parade has varied dramatically over the years to include men and women of all walks of life. Politicians, business owners, educators, service-club officers and many others have held the title in previous years. Yet the members of this diverse group share one common trait: Each is dedicated to the Los Gatos community.

Dru Barth, who next month will preside over the last parade of the century, is no exception.

"I'm really thrilled. I'm used to sitting along the street and waving to people I know who are in the parade. Now I'm going to be waving to people I know from the parade!" Barth says.

This year's parade takes place Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. along N. Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street.

Barth, a Los Gatos resident for the past 17 years, was chosen from a pool of nominees by a committee that included members of the Los Gatos Lions Club, which sponsors the parade along with the Los Gatos-Saratoga Department of Community Education and Recreation.

Barth has been instrumental in founding, operating and expanding A Place for Teens for more than eight years. Barth, the mother of three sons, worked with fellow Los Gatan Gladie Rabitz and other concerned educators, parents and teenagers to create a "hangout" that was fun, safe and educational. Together, they came up with A Place for Teens.


Photograph by Kathy De La Torre

Grand Marshal: Dru Barth




Over the years, Barth oversaw building improvements; served two terms as co-president of the board and more years as a lesser officer; helped untangle the red tape that popped up around insurance, donations and legal issues; helped run fundraisers, such as the Blue Jeans balls and Food fests; shopped for goodies to keep the snackbar full; wrote newsletters and organized mailings.

Throughout it all, she wore two other hats, which she continues to wear: She teaches at the Los Gatos Parent Nursery School on Lyndon Avenue and teaches aerobic dancing with the Los Gatos-Saratoga Department of Community Education and Recreation and at the Campbell Community Center.

"The reason I got involved [with A Place for Teens] in the first place was to be able to witness the growth and maturity of the teens," Barth says. "Speaking as a teacher and a parent, when a young person comes back to you to say thank you, it's very rewarding to see how you've made a difference."

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