Entertainment

Hundreds enjoy downtown holiday celebrations. What floats were judged the best?

Downtown Modesto was the place to be Saturday for the annual holiday celebration that began with the Dickens Faire, continued with the Celebration of Lights Parade and ended with the Rockin’ Holiday event at Tenth Street Plaza.

Hundreds of people withstood cold and sometimes rainy weather to watch more than 90 entrants in the parade. And really, all of those participating in the parade should receive awards for battling the elements.

What floats were judged the best? Here is the list of winners:

  • Nonprofit – Filipino American Association of Stanislaus County Large
  • Commercial Business Float Division – Roberts Auto Sales and VMI Rocks
  • Classic Vehicle Float Division – Don’s Mobile Glass
  • Nonprofit Float Division – Kate’s Rescue for Animals
  • Community Float Division – Luv 2 Dance
  • Small Commercial Business Float Division – Bumping Rita the Clown
  • Youth Float Division – Modesto FFA
  • High School Division 1A & 2A – Johansen and Gregori bands
  • High School 3A & 4A – Cesar Chavez marching band and color guard
  • Junior High School Band Float Division – Ustach Middle School
  • Sweepstakes Winner – Roberts Auto Sales

After the parade, a crowd gathered at Tenth Street Plaza for the Rockin’ Holiday event and the lighting of the 50-foot pixel tree. The day kicked off with the Dickens Faire in and around the McHenry Mansion.



Crystal Creamery was one of many floats during the Celebration of Lights Parade in downtown Modesto Saturday, Nov. 30, 2018.
Crystal Creamery was one of many floats during the Celebration of Lights Parade in downtown Modesto Saturday, Nov. 30, 2018. Marty Bicek mbicek@modbee.com
The streets were lined in front of the State Theater during the Celebration of Lights Parade Saturday, Nov. 30, 2018.
The streets were lined in front of the State Theater during the Celebration of Lights Parade Saturday, Nov. 30, 2018. Marty Bicek mbicek@modbee.com
Santa Claus was on hand a top Modesto Fire Rescue 1 during the Celebration of Lights Parade in downtown Modesto Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018.
Santa Claus was on hand a top Modesto Fire Rescue 1 during the Celebration of Lights Parade in downtown Modesto Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Marty Bicek mbicek@modbee.com
Ustach Middle School marching band and guard walk the parade route during the Celebration of Lights Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018.
Ustach Middle School marching band and guard walk the parade route during the Celebration of Lights Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Marty Bicek mbicek@modbee.com
CHIP from the California Highway Patrol was wishing everyone a Merry Chipmas during the Celebration of Lights Parade Saturday, Nov. 30, 2018.
CHIP from the California Highway Patrol was wishing everyone a Merry Chipmas during the Celebration of Lights Parade Saturday, Nov. 30, 2018. Marty Bicek mbicek@modbee.com
A horse drawn carriage gets loaded with passengers in front of the McHenry Mansion during the Dickens Faire in Downtown Modesto on December 1, 2018.
A horse drawn carriage gets loaded with passengers in front of the McHenry Mansion during the Dickens Faire in Downtown Modesto on December 1, 2018. John Westberg jwestberg@modbee.com
Jason Hoffman plays the bagpipes during the Dickens Faire in Downtown Modesto on December 1, 2018.
Jason Hoffman plays the bagpipes during the Dickens Faire in Downtown Modesto on December 1, 2018. John Westberg jwestberg@modbee.com
Lani Turner, a McHenry Mansion docent explains how old kitchen tools worked during the Dickens Faire in Downtown Modesto on December 1, 2018.
Lani Turner, a McHenry Mansion docent explains how old kitchen tools worked during the Dickens Faire in Downtown Modesto on December 1, 2018. John Westberg jwestberg@modbee.com
The Dickens Faire in Downtown Modesto on December 1, 2018.
The Dickens Faire in Downtown Modesto on December 1, 2018. John Westberg jwestberg@modbee.com

This story was originally published December 1, 2018 at 11:28 PM.

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