The 29th annual Candlelight Parade drew about 14,000 spectators on a night that was cold, but free of rain.
With 79 floats participating, the crowd was entertained with marching bands, dance troupes and of course Santa.
The 2014 BC Winter Games committee promoted its upcoming event and marched with Mission Olympians Brent Hayden and Teresa Gabriele. Many letters were collected by Canada Post who quickly packed them up for the Big Guy to take back to the North Pole. A special thanks to Ryco Truck & Crane for providing Santa with wheels for his sleigh.
Parade judges included RCMP Insp. Konarski, Country 107.1 FM’s Curtis Pope, Mission Record publisher Andrew Franklin and Scotiabank Manager Chris Calverley.
Here is the list of winners:
Commercial
1. GA Checkpoint Yamaha
2. Canadian Tire
3. First Class Waste
Individual
1. Speaker Advocate for Therapy Dogs - Donna Andres
2. Henry the Christmas Pick-up
3. Clark John
Marching Battalion
1. Sun Hang Do
2. 521 Aurora Squadron
3. MEI Screaming Eagles
Non-profit
1. Abbotsford/Mission Recycling
2. Parkside Church
3. Mission Minor Softball
School
1. Kids We R Daycare
2. WJ Mouat
3. Valley Christian School
The Mission Regional Chamber of Commerce offers thanks to this year’s sponsors and extends special thanks to Candlelight Parade task force Chair Phil Hope and task force members Cal Crawford and Jim & Mary Hinds for their work. The Chamber is grateful to the many volunteers that helped build the Santa Float.
“The whole parade really is a coming together of community at such a special time of year,” notes Chamber President Elyssa Lockhart. “It is an honour to be able to organize it each year.”
For more photos visit The Record's and Mission Chamber's Facebook pages.