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The city’s annual Holiday Parade on Saturday was the largest one yet with over 80 floats. The festive cars, trucks, horses, marching bands, and others fully embraced the holiday spirit with lights, banners and confetti. 

Over a thousand people lined up along the sidewalk to watch the parade as it traveled along West Washington Street, turned onto N. Main Street, and finished at Finney Ave.

Parade winners were announced later Saturday evening.

The best non-band marching and walking unit was the Lakeland High School JROTC. The best animal unit was Suffolk 411 Bunnies and Birds. Best performance unit went to the Kings Fork Middle cheerleaders, and best motorized unit was D’s Lawn Care.

Kings Fork High School, Nansemond River High School, and Lakeland High School placed first, second, and third for best school bands. New Generation Marching Band and C.V. Russell Jr. Ambassador Marching Band placed first and second for best non-school band.

Weichert Realtors, KBL won best themed entry. They dazzled with a silver and gold float that featured tinsel-wrapped trees, snowflakes, lights, and a silver and gold balloon arch.

Star Haven won best float unit with a winter wonderland themed display. They displayed a large silver and gold star, a blow up snowman, a snow monster, and a giant blow up Rudolph.   

Best light display went to Kalamoo Community Outreach with their “Full STEAM ahead” Kalamoo Express featuring little kids being pulled in wagons lit up with Christmas lights. Their float depicted a science classroom with curtains of lights hanging down.

Other notable participants included the Suffolk Public Works, Stars and Stripes Drill Team, the Bus Drivers Association, the Sheriff’s Office, and the Police Department among many others.

As Santa rounded the corner signaling the end of the parade, young children and their families pointed and cheered as he came down the road in a horse drawn carriage.