Despite the weather, hundreds gathered for the 83rd Annual Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade on Saturday.
“It quit raining just in time for a spectacular parade,” said parade volunteer Jeanette Ward. “We think in spite of the weather many of the parts of second street filled up right before the parade started.”
Grand Marshals of this year’s parade were World War II veterans, who were transported down the parade route on Owensboro Transit System trolleys. Ward said 20 made it to be honored.
Ward and her husband Drew have been volunteering with the parade for 45 years. She said this the the originality and use of lights were evident in the 94 floats of this year’s parade.
“I can’t emphasize enough the quality of the floats this year,” she said. “A lot of volunteers put in many hours to make this parade so successful. Owensboro can be very proud.”
The following are the winners of the 2019 parade contest:
Commercial Floats
- 1st – Wright Implement
- 2nd – Tally’s Towing & Recovery
- 3rd – Olive Garden
Government & Municipals
- 1st – City of Owensboro Street Department
- 2nd – OMU
- 3rd – Owensboro Sanitation Department
Schools & School Clubs
- 1st – Boy Scout Troop 120
- 2nd – Girl Scout Troop 1592
- 3rd – Council for Exceptional Children
Churches & Church Organizations
- 1st – First Freewill Baptist
- 2nd – Pleasant Grove United Methodist
- 3rd – Karns Grove Baptist Church
Clubs & Organizations
- 1st – Wendall Foster
- 2nd – International Cultural Exchange Services
- 3rd- Nicky Hayden Memorial Family Foundation
Best Use of Lighting
- Owensboro Street Department
