Following are award winners in the 2013 Sweet Home Christmas Parade, as reported by the Parade Committee:
The Sweepstakes Trophy – The Pittman Family Riders float depicting the Grinch in a sleigh pulled by a stationary horse.
Fraternal/Non Profit Groups – First Place: Linn County Republican Women; Second Place: Sweet Home Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Royalty Courts – First Place: Sweet Home Sportsmans’ Holiday Court with Santa Claus; Second Place: Rebekah Crespo National American Miss Contestant – 2013-14 National Cover Girl and 2012 Washington State Cover Girl.
Vehicles – First Place: Jim Redding in a 1995 Ford Mustang (transporting Mayor Jim Gourley).
Youth Group – First Place: Cub Scout Pack #362.
Marching/Performing Groups – First Place: SHHS Dance Team; Second Place: Sweet Home Cheer.
Equestrian Groups – First Place: Terrible Two and Trio (two 2-year-old fillies owned by Carol Carlin).
Business – First place: Two Dam Bagels; Second Place: Sweet Home A&W Restaurant.
The 13th entry, the U.S. Forest Service entry with Smokey the Bear, was, by request, a non-judged entry.
According to parade organizer Sue Olson, there is talk of making the 2014 Christmas Parade a lighted night-time parade. “The parade Committee would love to have some community input on this possibility,” she said.
She asks local residents to visit the committee’s Facebook page to share their thoughts.