The Polar Express rolled into town last weekend and took home the Best Spirit award for the Discovery Bay Parade of Lights annual event.
Photo by Kelly Chance
Photo by Kelly Chance
It was “A Charlie Brown Christmas” for many parade attendees who caught a glimpse of their favorite characters making their way down Discovery Bay Boulevard.
Photo by Kelly Chance
Photo by Kelly Chance
St. Anne Parish, above right, took home Best Theme honors for its striking replica of St. Anne Church.
Photo by Kelly Chance
Photo by Kelly Chance
More than 90 floats and 600 participants turned out for the ninth annual holiday party, sponsored this year by the Delta Sun Times. The tree lighting event, which followed the parade at the Discovery Bay Shopping Center, was hosted by the Discovery Bay Lions Club.
“Looking around the audience this year, all I saw were smiles,” said Parade Director Amanda Dove. “There were people cheering, and some had tears of joy at the beautiful demonstration before us. The parade grows and grows, and floats get more and more elaborate, but the event still keeps its small-town charm.”
This year’s parade theme was Holiday Movies, and some of the more popular floats featured imagery from “The Polar Express” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Parade emcees Glenn Sparks and Erin Pellaton announced parade entries throughout the evening, and float judges Chris Steele, Rita Caruso, Marla Luckhardt and Penny Dove made the tough final decisions.
According to Dove, the evening was about more than floats and parades – it was about community. “The parade is wonderful,” she said, “because it involves everyone in Discovery Bay, including children and seniors, service groups, schools and businesses. It’s an event everyone can appreciate.”
PARADE WINNERS
Best of Show: Excelsior Middle School
Director’s Choice Award: Timber Point Elementary
Best School: Discovery Bay Elementary
Best Lights: Daisy and Brownie troops
Most Creative: Discovery Bay Corvette Club
Best Theme: St. Anne Parish
Best Participation: Discovery Bay Play School & Academy
Audience Appreciation Award: Discovery Bay Yacht Club
Best Spirit: Discovery Bay Lions Club
Best Dance/Cheer: East County Performing Arts Center
Best Kids Float: All God’s Children School
Best Commercial Float/Group: Expressions Dance Academy
Best Vehicle Group: Friends of El Dorado ATVs
Best Band: Liberty High School Drum Line
Best Music: Heritage High School Varsity Drum Line
HONORABLE MENTION
Menchies Car, Heritage Jr. Varsity Drum Line, Byron Historical Fire Engine, Delta Valley Athletic Club, PODS Toys for Tots, Operation Creekside, Byron Delta Lions Club, BUSD Trustee Float, Supervisor Mary Piepho Float
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