The young and young at heart lined Main Street Friday evening for the Ripon Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade of Lights awaiting the appearance of old St. Nick.

There were 32 brightly lighted floats that moved down the street from Wilma Avenue on the west to Norse Street with parade watchers bundled up to keep warm. Miss Ripon Saylor De Abreu led the parade riding in an open convertible followed by Ripon Mayor Leo Zuber and Council member Dean Uecker led by Ripon motorcycle officers with their motors bedecked with colored Christmas lights. 

The parade winners announced after the conclusion of the judging had “Joy to the World” winning the award for best theme.  “Integrity First” and “Tri-Valley Realty” took top honors for being the most unique and “Kaehler-Nicolini” won the best motorized category. 

The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department paraded their K-9 patrol car and two custody patrol cars along with several other vehicles. 

The parade included senior sparkles from Bethany Home, Windmill Septic float, Colony Oak School float and banner, Sierra Vista Child & Family Services float, Ripon Little League truck and walkers with a wagon. Shauna’s Cheerleading Workshop, Christmas in Wonderland float, Sand A Sleigh with only school sand rail water pumper, Generations Baton Twirlers, Integrity First Realty and Tri-Valley 40-foot float, Manteca Ripon Pentecost Society Float, Dunes of Christmas with three 2-seat razors and 2 single razors, Ripon Police Department with 5 vehicles, Modesto Dirt Trikes with motorized “Big Wheels”, Outcast Jeepers with 15 entries, Ripon Knights float, Joy to the World float with 20 riders, Starlite Farms with five horses and riders. Lucca Winery with float pulled by tractor, Kaehler-Nicolini 34 foot float with 10 riders, Mako Farms float with 35 riders, Whoville Grinch float, Bruce Cunningham tractor with two trailers, Christmas on the lake tractor pulling a boat, The Grinch float, and Santa on a 1937 Ford fire engine

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.