Decked out in colorful clothing and filled with Christmas spirit, more than 70 parade entries kicked off the holiday season in the Lompoc Valley on Friday night.
The Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade traveled south on H Street from Pine Street starting at 6 p.m.
The theme of this year’s parade was “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
Band members practiced while awaiting their turn to travel the route. Other participants broke out into song or cheered at the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex’s elaborate entry that showed the Grinch behind bars.
“It’s so great to see so many floats,” Mayor Jenelle Osborne said, noting that the number of entries this year topped 70.
As the participants gathered in the staging area, thousands of spectators staked out viewing spots along the route.
“It’s going to be a wonderful parade. The weather’s held out for us, so I’m really looking forward to it,” she added minutes before taking the trek along H Street on the float with a huge Christmas tree made from lights.
Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann rode in an Austin-Healy convertible for Lompoc’s parade, one of several on tap for her this weekend.
“It’s exciting. It really launches the Christmas holiday,” Hartmann said.
After the parade, participants gathered at Centennial Park for a community tree-lighting ceremony.
Snow-women wave to the crowd Friday night during the Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade. (Janene Scully / Noozhawk) 
Lompoc Football Club members don onesies for the trek along the route in the Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade on Friday night. (Janene Scully / Noozhawk) 
With his ride decked out for Christmas, a boy prepares to travel the route Friday night for the Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade. (Janene Scully / Noozhawk photo) 
Lompoc Valley Flower Festival Queen Ava Nasr prepares to catch candy tossed from another entry as they await their turn to travel the route Friday night in the Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade. (Janene Scully / Noozhawk) 
The entry for the Lompoc Comprehensive Care Center in Friday night’s parade. (Janene Scully / Noozhawk) 
The Grinch is behind bars on the Lompoc Federal Correctional Complex entry in the Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade on Friday night. (Janene Scully / Noozhawk) 
Boscutti Ballet Theatre members dance along the route for the Lompoc Valley Children’s Christmas Season Parade on Friday night. (Janene Scully / Noozhawk)
Hot cocoa and cookies were available for free along with a visit from Santa Claus at the park.
The celebrations were organized by the Lompoc Recreation Division.
Lompoc’s parade was the first of three planned in the North County this weekend.
The Solvang Julefest Parade will roll through the Danish-themed town starting at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Later Saturday, the Santa Maria Parade of Lights will shine on Broadway, starting at 5:20 p.m. and traveling from Stowell Road to Main Street.
