News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > Old Fashioned Main Street Parade Winners Named (Update)

Old Fashioned Main Street Parade Winners Named (Update)

29th Annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade

By Michael P. Neufeld
Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Update - Tuesday 4 a.m.

Blue Jay, CA - The award winners for the 29th Annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade have been announced by judges Nancy Hinsey, Cathy Clark and Leslie McLellan.

The Rim of the World High School Fighting Scots Marching Band won the award for the Best School Musical Presentation during the 29th Annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The Rim of the World High School Fighting Scots Marching Band took the award for Best School Musical Production, with a special honorary award going to the Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School Mountain Lion Band.

The Arrowhead Arts Association String Band was honored with the award for the Best Non-School Musical Presentation. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The Best Non-School Musical Presentation award was captured by the Arrowhead Arts Association Youth Orchestra.

Judges named John Bodnar, and the World War II Combat Jeep, as the Best Overall Presentation. And the Honorary Theme Award went to the Classic Cruisers.

Jensen's Finest Foods won first place in the Commercial Division for their entry entitled "The White House Main Street Christmas Party." (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Jensen's Finest Food's entry, "The White House Main Street Christmas Party", collected first place in the Commercial Division, followed by Mountain Disposal.

Cub Scout Pack #264 won the award for the best Non-commercial entry, with Wildhaven Ranch coming in second.

The parade was organized and directed by Lauren England (Scales, Skins & Shells), Jessica Hennessy (Blue Jay Village), and Linda Griffith (Blue Jay Village Event Director).

Santa delighted youngsters of all ages along the parade route during the 29th Annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade. The fire truck was courtesy of the Crest Forest Fire Protection District. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Bob and Irene Wirtenberger served as grand marshals of the 29th Annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade as the make their way past the Borderline Family Restaurant. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Original Story

Blue Jay, CA – The 29th Annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade stepped off December 6, following an "Old Fashioned Main Street Parade" theme.

Grand Marshals of the parade will be Lake Arrowhead Citizens of the Year, Bob and Irene Wirtenberger, who will share top billing with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Santa and Mrs. Claus rode on an antique fire engine during their brief visit to Blue Jay for the 28th edition of the Christmas Parade (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The Blue Jay Business Association, Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce, and Blue Jay Investors, LLC are sponsoring the annual parade this year.

Each parade entry is asked, by the sponsoring organizations, to bring canned goods to be donated to Operation Provide in Rimforest, so that it may be shared with mountain families. The entry with the most canned foods will be announced at the conclusion of the parade.

Mountain Fife & Drums was one of the most popular entries in the 2007 Blue Jay Christmas Parade playing patriotic melodies as they marched through Blue Jay Village. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Officials will close Highway 189, and other roadways in the area, at 1 p.m. The inclement weather day for this event is Saturday, December 13.

All groups must be lined up prior to 1:30 p.m., so parade judging can be completed before the start of the annual event.

The MPH Marching Band played “Winter Wonderland” as it made its way down Highway 189 during the 28th Annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Volunteers are needed to help stage the parade. Call Lauren England, at (909) 337-5077, to assist with the 29th Annual Blue Jay Christmas Parade, billed as the shortest parade route in the world!

Additional information is available online at http:www.bluejayvillage.com.