Christmas is not a holiday, it is a feeling. The Turlock’s 39th annual Christmas parade was on December 1st this year and as usual, it was full of joy. The Christmas Parade is an annual event held the first friday of every December and it is where businesses, groups and families are invited to enter a float in the parade. The parade travels Turlock’s historical Main Street and it is sponsored by Turlock Firefighters.

The parade kicked off the wonderful holiday season. In the midst of all the crazy lights and floats, the Pitman High Marching Band and Color Guard were in the parade as they have been for the past few years and of course they did an amazing job.

“I have played drums in Pitman’s marching band all four years as well as played in the Christmas Parade all four years. Personally, I enjoy playing in the parade and being interactive with the audience much more than just sitting on the side and watching. Every year we have a great time playing in the parade,” said Ricardo Brenes member of Pitman High’s marching band.

Although three hours of watching floats go 2 miles per hour and spending a bunch of time trying to find parking sounds boring, it is actually the opposite. There was so much variety with the floats and no one float was the same. They were all decorated with thought and the people and music on the floats gave them so much character. Another thing that made the three hours very enjoyable was the people and the atmosphere in general.

“I go to the Christmas parade every year and it was especially good this year. It seemed like it was more crowded than usual which is a good thing I think. My favorite parts are the Pitman band and santa at the end. Overall I had a really good time and it makes me proud to be a part of Turlock’s community,” said PHS teacher, Mrs. Smith.

All in all, I was not surprised that the Christmas Parade was enjoyable and a success because it is every year. From the hot cocoa to the Santa Clause to the beautiful Christmas floats, the 39th annual Christmas Parade is one for the books and it is not an event to skip.