Participants in the Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade displayed plenty of holiday spirit as they traveled along the route Friday night.
Boasting more than 70 entries as it started at 6 p.m., the parade’s participants headed south on North H Street from Pine Avenue.
Community groups, churches, schools, individuals and businesses participated in the event, which this year occurred with the theme of “Dreaming of a White Christmas.”
Musical students from Lompoc Valley high school and middle school campuses united to create a “super band” for this year’s Christmas parade.
Meanwhile, the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex created The Polar Express for an elaborate entry to roll along the route.
“Everybody’s so excited. It’s always a thrill,” Santa Barbara County Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann said while waiting in the staging area for her trip along H Street.
“All the kids are in the parade, Santa’s coming and this is certainly the beginning, so it’s always fun,” Hartmann added of what was the first of three parades she planned to participate in this weekend.
Following the parade, the community Christmas tree-lighting ceremony occurred in Centennial Square at the corner of South H and Cypress Avenue.
Parade award winners also were set to be announced. Award recipients were:
- Best Float — Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex’s The Polar Express.
- Best Band — Lompoc Valley Super Band.
- Best Non-commercial Dance and Cheer Group — Danza Azteca La Purisima.
- Best Commercial Dance/Cheer Group — Garcia Dance Studio
- Best Youth Group — Lompoc Youth Football /Bantam Braves
- Best Club — Nueva Generacion Off Road
- Best Faith-Based Entry – Lompoc Christian School
- Best Commercial Entry — Crestwood Behavioral Health
Additionally, hot cocoa, cookies and visits with Santa Claus were available at the end of the route.
Friday night’s events were organized by the Lompoc Parks and Recreation Division, but included volunteers from the Lompoc Valley Festival Association.
Lompoc’s celebration Friday night kicks off a busy weekend as other communities will hold Christmas parades and other holiday events Saturday and Sunday.