They saved their spots, placing popup seats along the parade route.

The annual Christmas Light Parade was held on this chilly, cold Thursday evening.

Mary Jane May, who is a resident at Bethany Home, came prepared. She was dressed warmly while wrapped in a blanket alongside her daughter, Donna Den Dulk, sipping on hot drinks, and turning up the smiles as floats with waving folks rolled by.

“I’ve been coming to this parade for at least the last nine years,” said Den Dulk.

Her mother, Mary Jane, moved back to Ripon about two years ago after being away for a lengthy time. She’s been more accustomed to the warm Southern California weather. “I’m not used to this cold weather,” said Mary Jane.

This year’s Christmas Light Parade theme was “Sleigh All the Way.”

Some 45 floats – that was the total number of entries, according Ripon Chamber of Commerce President / CEO Kelly Donohue – took part in this year’s event held in collaboration with the Ripon Consolidated Fire District, the Ripon Police Department, and, of course, the local Chamber of Commerce.

The parade followed its usual route, staring at Almond Valley CRC, proceeding through historic downtown along Main Street, and concluding along Industrial Avenue.

The parade opened with city leaders riding in the “sleigh” float followed by San Joaquin County 5th District Supervisor Bob Rickman in a sports car adorn in Christmas lights, a carriage right out of a fairytale, and host of Christmas characters and various organizations, to name a few.

Paradegoers of all ages lined up the streets, particularly along that stretch of Main Street through downtown.

They really didn’t mind the cold weather once the holiday festivities kicked off.

They saved their spots, placing popup seats along the parade route.

The annual Christmas Light Parade was held on this chilly, cold Thursday evening.

Mary Jane May, who is a resident at Bethany Home, came prepared. She was dressed warmly while wrapped in a blanket alongside her daughter, Donna Den Dulk, sipping on hot drinks, and turning up the smiles as floats with waving folks rolled by.

“I’ve been coming to this parade for at least the last nine years,” said Den Dulk.

Her mother, Mary Jane, moved back to Ripon about two years ago after being away for a lengthy time. She’s been more accustomed to the warm Southern California weather. “I’m not used to this cold weather,” said Mary Jane.

This year’s Christmas Light Parade theme was “Sleigh All the Way.”

Some 45 floats – that was the total number of entries, according Ripon Chamber of Commerce President / CEO Kelly Donohue – took part in this year’s event held in collaboration with the Ripon Consolidated Fire District, the Ripon Police Department, and, of course, the local Chamber of Commerce.

The parade followed its usual route, staring at Almond Valley CRC, proceeding through historic downtown along Main Street, and concluding along Industrial Avenue.

The parade opened with city leaders riding in the “sleigh” float followed by San Joaquin County 5th District Supervisor Bob Rickman in a sports car adorn in Christmas lights, a carriage right out of a fairytale, and host of Christmas characters and various organizations, to name a few.

Paradegoers of all ages lined up the streets, particularly along that stretch of Main Street through downtown.

They really didn’t mind the cold weather once the holiday festivities kicked off.