Riverbank residents, friends and visitors enjoyed a relatively stormy weather-free evening of Christmas celebration over the weekend, as they got to enjoy the 55th annual parade down Santa Fe Street in the downtown area.

And they got to do it without concern for the windy, rainy weather that had been in Riverbank up until about noon on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Starting promptly at 5:30 p.m. near the Community Center, the parade travelled down Santa Fe Street past the Plaza del Rio Park and between the City Hall buildings towards Second Street and back up Stanislaus Street to where it began.

There were some 45 or so entries in the parade, which were judged in front of a booth at the Third Street and Santa Fe intersection.

As is customary, the parade began with a color guard by a local Boy Scout Troop, and wrapped up with a Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Department engine carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Parade Entry Results

In the past, trophies for parade winners have been given out just before the Christmas Tree lighting, but this year, winners were announced on Monday this week, a couple of days following the parade.

The Best Single Group award went to Ballet Folklorico, of Riverbank, the only dance group in the parade.

The Best Group award went to Mesa Verde Elementary, the Best Float award went to Riverbank Youth Baseball and Softball Association (RYBSA), with a reported close second coming from the Riverbank Outlaws, youth football and cheer teams.

The Best Automobile award went to Terry Barrett, driving a 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan, pulling a 1956 Shasta Travel Trailer.

The Best Horse entry went to the San Joaquin County Horseman’s Queen and Court.

The Best Motorcycle Unit entry went to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department which helps serve as Riverbank Police Services.

The Riverbank Public Works entry received an Honorable Mention award. They entered a “very creative float,” according to judges, with sparks flying all around, music, and carrying Batman, surrounded by Gotham City’s skyline.

Christmas Crafts Faire

A variety of vendor and food booths lined both sides of the block of Third Street between City Hall North and Plaza del Rio Park.

Since the bad weather quit around noon and the faire opened up at 3 p.m., there wasn’t much of a problem for the vendors as they set up shop there.

They continued staffing the booths during the parade, tree lighting and Santa’s posing for photos with youngsters, and finished around 7 p.m.

Tree Lighting

A tradition sort of closing out the evening is usually Santa’s lighting of the Community Christmas Tree in the Plaza del Rio Park.

This year’s effort would have to go down as less than optimal. When Santa threw his pixie dust to ‘magically’ turn on the lights on the tree, onlookers were disappointed to see that only the first, lowest string of the lights lit up.

Although it was a bit small when first planted, years ago, the tree now is taller than the nearby flagpole.

Despite having fewer lights lit than normal, youngsters still stopped by to visit with Santa and share their Christmas wishes with him.