Napa Holiday Parade Hard To Beat

Thousands of Napa's youngsters and the young at heart took to the streets Saturday for the 51st annual holiday parade.

"I've been coming to this since I was a little girl, said Lisa Crist, 34, of Napa, who was watching the parade with Presley Runyon, 5, and Pieper Runyon, 4, and Gracie, a Golden Retriever.

"I'm glad to be here," Crist said.

A total of 77 floats and other entries rolled through the downtown, said Julie Morales, of the Napa Downtown Association, parade host. 

Two floats won prizes of $500 each, Morales said: "Best Use of Lights" went to the Napa Valley All Star Elite Dance Team; and "Best Theme" went to the Napa Junior Girls Softball Team.

The parade traveled in a loop around First and Second streets in downtown Napa. Parade grand marshal was Cheryl Richburg, owner of Napa Valley Traditions, Morales said.

Kiwanis Club of Napa was the parade sponsor.

After the parade, children lined up at the Andaz Hotel to visit and have their photos taken with Santa.

Father's House Church volunteered to help with street cleanup after the event.