Stockton’s Olde Tyme Christmas Parade one for the books
Parade winners announced
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BLAKE BALTHAZOR was all smiles as he tried to convince Santa he had been a good boy this year. Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves were kept very busy the night of Olde Tyme Christmas listening to the wish lists of all the children. -
MAIN STREET IN STOCKTON was a festive sight during the Olde Tyme Christmas Parade. -
THE SIGMA PHI ESA’S Grinch float got first place in the Organization category at the Olde Tyme Christmas Parade held on Friday, November 25.
It took months of planning with many phone calls and contacts made to organize Stockton’s 150th Birthday Celebration and Olde Tyme Christmas Parade. And all the hard work and effort by the committee paid off in a big way with Mother Nature also pitching in with a perfect night for the event.
This year there were 67 participants comprised of floats, fire trucks, antiques, cars, state, city and county entities, farm equipment, bicycles, walking entries, dancing entries and horses from our hometown businesses, organizations and individuals, as well as entries from our neighboring towns of Phillipsburg and Plainville. Plus, let’s not forget an appearance from the jolly old man himself, Santa!
Kevin States announced the parade as it made its way down Stockton’s Main Street on Friday, November 25th, once the Christmas lights were turned on and the crowd had gathered on both sides of the streets.
The kids and grownups enjoyed all the candy and toys that were thrown from the entries. The theme for this year was “Merry Grinchmas,” so many floats went with it and had Grinches and Cindy Lou Whos waving at the people who had gathered for the kick off to the Christmas holiday season.
City commissioners Adam Bryant and Bob Becker were in charge of the lineup, and they did a great job keeping the parade going in a timely manner with our VFW Honor Guard setting the pace.
Bryant stated, “The City of Stockton and the Stockton Chamber are extremely thankful for all the effort the committee and community put into this event and coming together to make this happen. This is what brings people back to their hometown. The committee’s goal for next year is to maintain or, better yet, grow the parade bigger and better every year.”
This year’s parade winners are as follows: (Business) Central Vet Services placed first, Stockton Pharmacy placed second and Heartland Building Center placed third; (Organization) Sigma Phi ESA placed first, Stockton Church of Restoration placed second, Stockton Rodders placed third; (Individual) David Earl Demo Car placed first, Larry Kibbee placed second and Larry Gosselin placed third; (Other) Stockton Public Library placed first, Stockton Fire 1927 fire truck placed second, and Maeayla Preston placed third.
