12/3/2009 12:32:00 PM It's a Red, White and Blue Christmas parade
The annual Christmas parade is scheduled for Saturday night at 5 p.m. and will travel from the Sears parking lot on Hobsonway to the Kmart parking lot.
BLYTHE - This year's Red, White and Blue Christmas parade is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., Saturday. Floats will line up in the Sears' parking lot and head west on Hobsonway, ending at the K-Mart parking lot.
In December of 1987, Robert Crain agreed to help with the parade and the following year he twisted some arms to get his family to join in and help.
But this year's parade promises to be just as good as parades past. With the Crain family and friends organizing the event for the 21st year, the parade will have its same flavor and air.
The official starter for this year's parade will include parade co-organizer, Robert Crain's nephew John. John and other relatives and friends mark a third generation helping to make the parade a community event.
The parade will again end with Santa, who will be riding with the Blythe Volunteer Fire Department on a red engine instead of his reindeer.
There are 50 entries thus far who will present their interpretation of a Red, White and Blue Christmas tomorrow night. And out of the 50 entries, four will walk away at the end of the night with a Sweepstakes, Theme, Mayor or Marshall Trophy.
The Sweepstakes Trophy will be awarded to the most outstanding entry; one that incorporated all elements-theme, originality and appeal.
The Theme Trophy will go to the entry that demonstrated the best use of the theme "Red, White and Blue Christmas."
The best design will receive the Marshal's Trophy while the overall appeal will be awarded the Mayor's Trophy.
Trophy winners are chosen through a point system and performed by a panel of judges who will be stationed outside of State Farm Insurance at 121 E. Hobsonway.
Ribbons will also be awarded to the first and second place entry in each category: Equestrian (youth/other); Marching Unit (band, youth, service club); Car Clubs; 3-Wheeler/Bicycle; Vehicle (commercial, individual, law enforcement, service clubs); Floats (commercial, individual, church group, school group, youth group, service club).
The one notable difference in this year's parade will be that entries have been asked to not throw candy from the vehicles for safety reasons. But entries are allowed to have someone walk along the vehicle and pass out candy to onlookers.
The community is invited to line Hobsonway Saturday evening and welcome Christmas into Blythe.
"I hope that everyone bundles up and keeps warm," said Crain. "Come out and witness a wonderful start to the season."
If you are interested in participating in the parade, do not hesitate to call 760-922-2046.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, December 11, 2009
Article comment by:
great parade!
stop whining, maybe next year you'll be able to catch one! stop complaining mwa-mwa-mwa!
Posted: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Article comment by:
'Nuf Said
I observed one of the floats throwing teddy bears to the kids. Not good! The kids ran into the street to retrieve the bears. The rule should be to throw NOTHING from the vehicles... period! If someone throws an object from a float, they should be banned from future parades. This is a safety issue and should be taken seriously by participants, enforced by city authorities, and agreed to prior by participants when they sign their permit.
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Bob Grady
"The one notable difference in this year's parade will be that entries have been asked to not throw candy from the vehicles for safety reasons. But entries are allowed to have someone walk along the vehicle and pass out candy to onlookers."
Yeah Right, I attended the parade like many other citizens of Blythe. The only persons I saw throwing candy from a vehicle entry of the parade was from Councilwoman Covels vehicle. Nice to know we have a member of the
Council who thinks she can do as she wishes in front of the whole town no less...
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
Article comment by:
NO CANDY...WHAT?????
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