The application window for entries and volunteers for the Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights opens Oct. 1.
The parade, themed “Joy of Giving,” will start at 5:20 p.m. rain or shine, and will only be canceled in the event of very heavy rain. There is no rain date.
There is no charge to participate in the parade and application is simple through the Parade of Lights website: www.smparadeoflights.org .
There is a new section on the website for volunteers, and organizers are looking for 50 adults who can help in the area of traffic control.
The parade is organized by the Rotary Clubs of Santa Maria and Nipomo. Organizers are accepting applications from Oct. 1 until Nov. 10, or until full, and will notify participants of their place in the parade by Nov. 21.
The parade is limited to 103 entries to keep it two hours in length. Each year there are several entries on the waiting list. The criteria used for selecting participants are based on factors including timeliness of the application, completeness of the application (it is strongly suggested that a well-thought-out script for the announcers to read along the parade route be included in the application), and for returning participants the quality of prior years’ entries including use of lights, enthusiasm and creativity.
Cash prizes totaling $4,500 are awarded to first and second-place winners in seven categories along with an overall sweepstakes award.
This year’s title sponsors are Toyota of Santa Maria, Dignity Health, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, and SESLOC.
