Christmas parade entries brighten Santa Maria | Local News

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

“Of the 70 events we host each year, this is my favorite,” said Carcarey of the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club.

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

Entries in the top 100. Most have multiple participants, so there are hundreds or more in total. A large force of volunteers, 250 instead of 200, also plays a key role in ensuring the event brightens the holidays.

Three Rotary Clubs in the Santa Maria Valley and the Nipomo Rotary Club once again organized the parade with support from the City of Santa Maria.

Driving north along Broadway, entry begins at Stowell Road and ends at Main Street.

The holiday cheer on display reminds him of his childhood in Philadelphia, Carcarey added.

“People are happy tonight…” Carcarey added. “The city is really coming out and enjoying it.”

Officials have estimated that the holiday parade attracts 25,000 spectators to the 1.6-kilometer route.

Organizers stressed to participants preparing submissions that they should use plenty of light. That led to vehicles covered in fairy lights, musical instruments covered in lights, and cheerleaders wearing headbands with light bulbs on them.

Awards worth $4,500 were given to entries in seven categories, including best use of light for categories such as commercial, religious, youth nonprofit, youth nonprofit and others.

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

First place winners received $350, while second place winners received $150 in prizes.

During the parade, Rotarians traditionally collected canned goods along the route, but this year they opted for financial donations, allowing them to deliver two giant pallets to the Santa Barbara County Food Bank before the event.

At the end of the route, a festival of lights with food trucks, a children’s area, a tree raffle and photos with Santa Claus awaited parade participants and spectators from 5 to 9 p.m

The Santa Maria Valley Christmas parade season continues next weekend.

The Orcutt Christmas Parade will take place through Orcutt Old Town on December 14th at 12:00 noon. For financial and logistical reasons, the number of participants is limited to 50.

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

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

On December 14th at 6 p.m., the Guadalupe Christmas Parade will parade through the community with the theme “Peace, Love and Hope Around the World.”

The Guadalupe Parade is dedicated to Harry Masatani and his son Brian Masatani, members of the family that operated Masatani’s market for 102 years. The family will leave the company on their last day of work on Sunday.

Click through the slideshow below to see more photos from the parade of lights.