The holiday season is off to its usual festive start in California, thanks in part to the annual parade that took place over the weekend, lighting up Oak Street with seasonal cheer.
The California Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Christmas parade on Saturday. This year's theme was "Songs of Christmas."
Parade winners were as follows: first place - Nic Nac Cafe with "Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer"; second place - The Blue Shack; and third place - Busy Bees 4-H Club. Each winner received a Chamber gift certificate, as well as a certificate of participation to display.
The City of California's city departments are judged separately from other entries. The winner in this category was the city electric department with "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." The department will receive a certificate to display.
The full list of parade participants is as follows:
The Irey Gang #1,#2 and #3; Dicus BBQ; Twin City 4-H Club; Sara Walsh, 50th District State Representative; Nic Nac Cafe; Co-Mo Electric; Cargill; Humpy's Bar & Grill; Dennis and Colene Hentges; Angel Lawn Care; The Blue Shack; California City Fire Department; Grace Designs LLC; California High School Cheerleaders; California Rural Fire District; California Parks Department; Conner Hees - John Deere Tractor; Durham School Bus Services; Busy Bee 4-H Club; California Street Department; Clenin Farm Supply - Business of the Year; Something Sassy; Chelsea McGill - Citizen of the Year; California Police Department; Cliff Harris, California Chrysler and Little Mr. and Miss Moniteau County; Bruce Rosenmiller - John Deere Tractor; Bryce Rosenmiller - John Deere Tractor; California Electric Department; California Water Department; Co-Mo Connect; Carolyn Twardowski - Horse; Melinda Burgoom - Horse; Sophie and Madelyn Gerlach - Horse; Curt and Madison Bleich - Horse; California Progress, Inc.; and the Mid-Mo Ambulance District.
Since the usual visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Sweet Chipotle was canceled this year, the pair also rode in the parade at the very end of the line, transportation provided by Paul and Becky Bloch.
The Chamber-sponsored event was chaired by Tyler Clenin, and Chamber members Blake Howard and Brad Baer rounded out the list of committee members who helped plan the event.