Float Judging
The Bakersfield Parade Committee has always taken pride in providing a wonderful environment for our families, individuals and community groups to enjoy by coming together to celebrate our national “Christmas Season.” From the very first time that the Christmas Parade was ever presented in downtown Bakersfield the main focus was a wide variety of colorful and festively decorated floats, musical marching bands and dancers to horse drawn entries and community groups. It has always promoted exciting quality entertainment leading up to the arrival of jolly ol’ Saint Nick!
Our community has many different Civic and School Programs available for offering “Awards” for bands, marching groups, and equestrian groups, however, the one group not afforded this opportunity are floats. The past and present parade committees then became intent on making this a float oriented parade. The Christmas parade judging has totally concentrated on unique structures that arrive only once a year (like Santa).
If your organization has not yet entered a float, think about it. It’s a wonderful way for youth groups, community groups, vehicle groups, or companies to exchange creative ideas, work together as a team, and to present the “Christmas Spirit” to our community in your own different and exciting way!
All float builders wishing to be judged need to be in their numbered position by 3:00 p.m. judging begins at 3:30 p.m. our judges do not revisit an entry, so please don’t be late. The judges want to see your finished look as though it was on the parade route.
Our parade judges consist of a group of Civic minded individuals. Winning a “Float Trophy”, mean your group has met all the criteria in each judged category. Each of our categories will be judged on a point system. All floats are judged by more than one judge, and then once all of our judges have turned in their scoring sheets the totals are tallied and all winners are made “Final”. This year as well as in past years, Raymond’s Trophy Company has sponsored trophies for our Winners!
The Bakersfield Christmas Committee will be picking the best of the best! It’s always a thrill to see all our groups having a great time and making memorable moments. Please make sure your application is complete before you mail it into the Christmas parade committee.
Pamela Carlock
Parade Coordinator