Suzanne Somers Named Celebrity Grand Marshal of 22nd Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade; Local Restaurateur Patty Delgado Named “Guardian Angel,” Barbara & Jerry Keller, Community Grand Marshals
By Amy Blaisdell
Actress, health and wellness entrepreneur and part-time resident Suzanne Somers has been named Celebrity Grand Marshal of the 22d annual Palm Springs Festival Lights Parade, Mayor Steve Pougnet announced today.
The parade, the City’s signature holiday event, is slated for 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 along Palm Canyon Drive – and features magnificent marching bands, huge Macy’s-style balloons, a plethora of festive floats adorned in thousands of twinkling holiday lights and Santa on the spectacular “Jackie Lee Houston Santa Claus Express.” More than 100,000 residents and visitors are expected to attend. The Presenting Sponsor is P.S. Resorts.
In addition, local community leader Patty Delgado, owner of the world famous Las Casuelas Terraza Mexican restaurant in downtown Palm Springs has been designated the parade’s Guardian Angel” and Barbara and Jerry Keller, owners of the popular eatery LULU California Bistro have been named Community Grand Marshals.
Somers, who played Chrissy Snow on the popular television sitcom “Three’s Company” and also starred in the sitcom “Step by Step,” is a long-time supporter of the City of Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Police Department and local nonprofits including the Desert AIDS Project and Safe House. In addition, she and her good friend Barry Manilow have performed together numerous times in support of many local Coachella Valley charities.
A 36-year resident of Palm Springs, successful businesswoman and lecturer, Somers is the author of 24 books on health and wellness, many which have made the New York Times Bestseller List. Somers, 67, has been married to her husband Alan Hamel for 46 years. They have three married children and six grandchildren.
“Palm Springs is a paradise and when I return from work trips, my mood shifts to dreamy the moment I get home,” said Somers. “We are privileged to live in this beautiful city and I am incredibly excited to lead the way down Palm Canyon Drive in one of my favorite parades. I am so excited to be Celebrity Grand Marshal this year.”
Joining Somers in the parade as this year’s “Guardian Angel” will be local restaurateur Patty Delgado, the owner of Las Casuelas Terraza, one of the most successful restaurants in downtown for the past 35 years. Delgado was raised in Palm Springs, attended Palm Springs High School and is a huge supporter of the city and local nonprofits like Desert Regional Medical Center, United Way of the Desert and Shelter from the Storm. Her parents Florencio and Maria
Delgado started the famed Las Casuelas chain of restaurants in the Coachella Valley in 1958.
Over the past several years, Delgado has received numerous prestigious awards, including “Businessperson of the Year” from the Coachella Valley Mexican American Chamber of Commerce and “Small Business Person of the Year” for the 80th Assembly District. She was also recognized by the City of Palm Springs as a business/civic leader during Latino Heritage Month and was honored with the coveted Palm Springs ATHENA Award in 2010.
“The City of Palm Springs is absolutely thrilled that the fabulous Suzanne Somers, Patty Delgado and Barbara & Jerry Keller will lead the march down Palm Canyon Drive as we kick off the 22nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, the biggest and best parade in Southern California and beyond,” said Mayor Steve Pougnet. “I invite everyone in the Coachella Valley to bring the whole family to downtown on Saturday, Dec. 7 and celebrate the holidays in Palm Springs, like no place else.”
For more information about this year’s parade and sponsorship opportunities. please contact Jasmine
Waits at (760) 323-8276
