By News 8 Reporter Jeff Zevely
SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - As if the people-watching at Comic-Con wasn't already entertaining enough, there could soon be a parade to kick off Comic-Con festivities in San Diego.
It's an idea San Diego City Council President Tony Young decided to float to the public.
"You know, if we did a Comic-Con Parade the day before Comic-Con opens then people will come from all over the world a day early," Young said.
Young says the four-day event goes by in such a blur why not give downtown businesses a boost with an extra day of spending at hotels and restaurants.
Erin Belanger from Another Side Tours says a possible parade has her financial wheels turning.
"I think that sounds fantastic. Nothing would better than another day of Comic-Con in San Diego. Everybody loves a parade, I mean look at what it does for the community everybody get excited businesses get involved," Belanger said.
A parade could further boost local businesses like Crunch Time, which sells popcorn, ice cream and hot dogs.
"If they do a parade down here we will do free Coke floats for everyone in that parade," Crunch Time owner David Pinkney said.
David and Kim Pinkney say Comic-Con is their busiest time of the year, and a parade would pad their pockets.
Comic-Con organizers say they have not been approached by the City of San Diego but they are open to the idea. City officials would love Comic-Con's parade input but say they don't need Comic-Con's blessing to host a parade.
City leaders say Comic-Con sells out every year so a parade would allow every San Diegan to get in on the fun. Tony Young told News 8 it's probably too optimistic to get the parade up and running by this July but 2012 is looking good.
