christmasparadelogoWinners for the 2013 Spirit of Christmas Lighted Parade were announced Thursday afternoon by Southside Church, organizers of the parade.

Floats were judged by a panel of 16 people on Wednesday night according to parade director Eric Evans.

““We are thrilled at this year’s entries and look forward to everyone seeing them tonight!” said Evans.

Winners in several categories were awarded as follows:

  • Best Overall Float by Presenting Sponsor Brownwood Regional Medical Center—BRMC Volunteer Float.
  • Grand Marshall Choice by Bostick’s Auto and Truck Sales—Christ Is The Answer
  • Mayor’s Choice Award by Home Depot—Encompass Home Health
  • Southside Church Choice Award by Moore Printing—Home Depot
  • Santa’s Sleigh Award by Shoppa’s—Salt Creek Baptist Church/Gary Wiley
  • Christmas Angel Award by Green Acres I Rent—Brown County Child Welfare Board
  • Toy Soldier Award by Guardian Health Care— (To Be Determined)
  • Grinch Award by Ingram Concrete—Brownwood High School Cheerleaders
  • Candy Cane Award by Top Lawn Care—Weakley Watson Sporting Goods
  • Santa’s Reindeer Award by Emily Miller, Attorney At Law—Early High School Key Club
  • Misfit Toys’ Award by Brownwood Nursing and Rehab Center—Small Steps Childcare Center
  • Santa’s Workshop Award by Cook’s Fish Barn—Early Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s Club
  • Scrooge Award by Smith & Sharpe Insurance—Premier High School
  • Swirly Twirly Gumdrops Award by Tri-County Propane—Allsups
  • Happy Birthday Jesus Award by BrownwoodNews.com—Odd Fellows Lodge #219
  • Star of Bethlehem Award by Texas State Technical College—Girling Hospice
  • Rudolf Award by Shaw TV—Nolberto & Mary Tobias

Street closures for the parade will begin at 4:00 PM Thursday.  As the parade lineup begins, organizers ask spectators and parade participants to not cross barricades.  Parking is available at the Coliseum and throughout the Historic Downtown District.

The annual parade organized by Southside Church and sponsored this year by Brownwood Regional Medical Center is all set to begin at 6:30 PM in downtown Brownwood Thursday night.  The parade will feature marching bands, dancing drill teams, lighted floats with great Christmas music, local dignitaries from all across Brown County and a visit by Santa himself.  The parade route will begin at Carnegie & Adams and travel Center Avenue to North Broadway, down Fisk, to Baker and will end at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Food vendors from local non-profit organizations have been added to this year’s festivities to help families get a great seat early to watch the parade and enjoy the evening as well as help these organizations raise funds for their cause.   Vendors will be located at Wendlee Broadcasting Parking lot, City Hall Parking Lot and on the Courthouse Square.

Those attending the parade are reminded to dress warm, as temperatures are expected to be frigid.