‘A Starlight Christmas’
Porterville’s annual Children’s Christmas Parade crowd packs Main Street
Beanies, blankets, scarves and Santa hats could be seen everywhere Monday evening at the annual Children’s Christmas parade. Gloved hands grasped warm cups of hot chocolate, and the buzz of conversation and laughter travelled down Main Street as spectators waited for the parade to begin.
Police officers paced the streets, and a K-9 ran around his handler who held on tight to his leash. As the parade entries inched their way closer to an anxious audience, sirens and lights broke the cold evening air.
Soon, two Porterville Police Department (PPD) motorcycle patrol units rolled by, followed by one patrol car carrying Police Chief Eric Kroutil, who waved out of the passenger side window.
Porterville’s Fire Department passed by with a yellow ladder truck outlined in lights. A ladder full of people stood on top of the truck, waving down at the spectators that lined the streets. One police development services unit and one California Highway Patrol unit completed the display for the local emergency services departments.
Monache High School’s band marched by playing Christmas classics like Jingle Bells, and the baton twirlers dazzled the audience with lighted baton ends that glowed blue as they flew into the air.
St. Anne’s School, who placed second in the religious float category, decorated their float with a live nativity scene. A full float of children and adults wearing gold stars and sitting atop hay bales smiled and waved, while a small group at the end of the float made up the biblical scene of Jesus’ birth.
A group of Tiny Tots excitedly made their way down the street. Some of the tots pedalled their bikes, while smaller tots were pulled in decorated wagons. A toddler towards the back sat in a sleigh replica with a huge smile on his face as his parents pulled him through the parade.
The Sequoia Middle School band sported decorated instruments. Clarinets were wrapped with festive lights, and a tuba was complete with a white beard and Santa hat.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engi-
gineers Park Rangers made many children smile with their decorated boat and mascot as they waved emphatically at the crowd. The boat’s engine was wrapped in a shiny silver wrapping paper that reflected the city’s Christmas tree lights as they rode by City Hall.
Third place winner in the commercial float category, Crane’s Towing, startled spectators with their loud horn, which they blew as they passed by the thick crowds of people on Main Street. Crane’s Towing rolled down the street in their massive heavy-duty tow truck with a Christmas light American flag tacked to the side. The towing company pulled a float where Olaf, the snowman from the Disney movie ‘Frozen,’ waved at children who called his name.
Strathmore High School’s band played Feliz Navidad as they marched by. Behind the band, Strathmore High cheerleaders performed shook their pom-poms with spirit.
Sensation’s Baton and Dance Company turned heads with an elaborate dance routine. A large group of the dance company’s students followed a car that blared remixed Christmas songs, as they danced.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) blew fake snow from a snow machine on to merry children in the crowd. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas was dressed in a striped inmate uniform, and walked closely to TCSO’S truck and float. Those on the float kept their ears warm with whimsical elf hats.
Family Healthcare Network entertained the audience with a giant teal and white RV. The RV’S top was decorated with white lights that hung from the vehicle like icicles.
Porterville High School’s band and color guard captured the audience with their reindeer ears and Santa hats. The color guard spun green flags to the rhythm of the Christmas music, as the band made its way down the parade route.
Take The Stage Dance and Performing Arts Company wowed spectators with a dance routine that included flips and spins. The dancers in the front of the group jumped and flipped in the air, and they were met with rounds of applause for the daring moves.
Burton Middle School’s ASB team rolled by on a truck that carried their mascot, a bulldog. The bulldog waved at cheering children and their parents.
Santa Claus sat on the back of a shiny red convertible Mercedes-benz and waved at the excited children who called out to him. Santa rode his “sleigh” with a cheery smile and rosy cheeks.
The final entry in this year’s parade was Granite Hills High School band and color guard. Baton twirling sensation Brandon Ennis stood at the front of the band, throwing his baton in to the air at tremendous heights. Each band member sported a Santa hat, while the color guard team twirled red, black and silver flags in cozy pajamas.
As the parade came to a close, parents wrapped their babies in blankets and zipped up their children’s sweaters to shield them from the cold. Chairs were folded, good byes were said, and hot chocolate cups were thrown into trash bins before the crowd journeyed to their cars. An air of holiday spirit and Christmas cheer hung in the air, leaving Main Street even more festive than it was at the parade’s beginning.