Among the many events Rotarians do each year in the Santa Maria Valley, the Parade of Lights stands out by far, according to this year’s Chairman Ed Carcarey.

“Out of the 70 events we do every year, this is my favorite,” said Carcarey from the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club.

That doesn’t mean it’s the easiest, he quickly added.

Entries top 100. Most have multiple participants, adding up to hundreds or higher. A large force of volunteers, 250 people instead of the 200, also play key roles to ensure the event brightens the holiday season.

Three Rotary Clubs in the Santa Maria Valley plus the Nipomo Rotary Club again organized the parade with support from the city of Santa Maria.

Traveling north along Broadway, entries started at Stowell Road and ended at Main Street. 

The display of holiday cheer reminds him of growing up in Philadelphia, Carcarey added.

“People are happy tonight…,” Carcarey added. “The city really comes out and enjoys it.”

Officials have estimated the holiday parade attracts 25,000 spectators to the 1-mile route.

Organizers emphasized to those preparing entries that they should use plenty of lights. That led to vehicles covered with strands of lights, musical instruments covered in lights and cheerleaders wearing headbands with light bulbs.

Awards amounting to $4,500 were given to entries in seven categories including best use of lights for categories such as commercial, religious, youth nonprofit, non-youth nonprofit and other. 

Two additional awards went to best band and best marching group. 

The grand prize winner received $1,000 with first-place award recipients getting $350 while $150 went to second-place winners. 

The winning entries were: 

• Grand Prize— Orcutt Academy High School Band.

• Commercial — Michael B. Clayton, first place, Lemos Feed & Pet Supply, second place.

• Religious— Iglesia Internacional Casa de Dios, first place; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, second place. 

• Youth Nonprofit — Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County, first place; Boys and Girls Club of Mid Central Coast, second place. 

• Non-Youth Nonprofit — Achievement House, first place; Santa Maria 4 Wheelers, second place. 

• Other — High Rollers Off Road, first place; Knuckles Up Adventures, second place. 

• Marching Band — Santa Maria High School Saints Marching Band, first place; Pioneer Valley High Panther Pride Marching Band, second place. 

• Cheerleaders, Gymnastics, Other Marching Groups — Worthy Athletics, first  place; Pioneer Valley High School Cheer, second place

The parade traditionally has involved Rotarians collecting canned food along the route, but this year they chose to seek financial donations that allowed them to provide two huge pallets to the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County ahead of the event.

At the end of the route, a Festival of Lights awaited parade participants and spectators with food trucks, kids’ zone, tree giveaway, and photos with Santa Claus from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Santa Maria Valley’s holiday parade season continues next weekend.

The Orcutt Christmas Parade rolls through Old Town Orcutt starting at noon Dec. 14 with entries capped at 50 due to financial and logistical reasons.

They also plan a shorter route with the procession expected to end at Clark Avenue and Gray Street.

Members of the Orcutt Community Foundation and Orcutt Lions Club organize the popular event.

At 6 p.m. Dec. 14, the Guadalupe Christmas Parade will travel through the community with the theme of “Peace, Love and Hope Around the World.”

The Guadalupe parade will be dedicated to Harry Masatani and his son Brian Masatani, members of the family that operated Masatani’s Market for 102 years. The family will exit the business with their final day Sunday.

Click through the slideshow below to see more photos from the Parade of Lights.