GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – As the crowd gathered around the giant tree at Orchard Hospital began the countdown to the annual tree lighting, the holidays officially arrived in Gridley.

Last Wednesday, December 7^th, a brief program was held before the lighting of the tree. A musical prelude was provided by the Gridley High School and Sycamore Choir, while CEO of Orchard Hospital Steve Stark introduced the 2022 official light master – retired City Councilman and Chamber Vice President, Zach Torres.

Surrounded by his family, Torres flicked the switch lighting the giant tree adorned with vivid lights of every color and topped with a gleaming star.

Meanwhile, Downtown Gridley was filled with vendors, music and a growing crowd already enjoying the Winter Wonderland Festival and anticipating the Parade of Lights, courtesy of the Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce.

Decorations on the main four corners of the parade routes cheered guests as they shopped vendors and mingled with lights casting a soft crisp glow down from the trees above. Princesses Elsa and Anna took photos with guests, and it is rumored that even Olaf was out and about in the crowd.

Frosty the Snow Man, or our newest councilman and retired Gridley Police Officer James Roberts, drove his motorcycle down the parade route, notifying all that the festivities were about to begin. As tradition for Gridley parades holds, a moment was taken to salute our country, and this year, a moment of silence was held for those lost at Pearl Harbor. The colors were carried by the Gridley American Legion and the crowd saluted them as Ms. Lauren Kelly sang our nation’s anthem flawlessly.

A steady stream of brilliantly lit trucks, fire engines, floats and more began their way down the route, including the glittering Ms. Agriculture American Queens and the Miss Butte County Royal Court.  Each shining entry had its own way of pleasing the crowd, either by song and dance, throwing candy, or spraying bubbles and even snow on the crowds. Manzanita 4-H brought some of their animals cheerfully dressed in holiday garb – a crowd favorite was Caramel the goat, courtesy of Jack Routon.

The ‘Big Guy’ wrapped up the parade riding atop Gridley’s antique fire engine, delighting young and old in the crowd.

Also announced at the Parade of Lights were this year’s Chamber City Street Competition winners. Our local non-profit groups chose a winner from the streets surrounding the parade route. Winners received a $100 prize. Gridley Rotary selected 1840 Laurel St., Gridley Lions Club chose 312 Sycamore St., Knights of Columbus picked 1761 Hazel St., and Quota Club named 148 Spruce St. as their favorite decorated homes.

As far as the best parade float, Joseph Waterbury Electric took 1^st place for the second year in a row, second place went to Gridley Rotary, and 3^rd place went to Apples to Zebras Preschool.

The Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following sponsors: Butte Auto, Casa Lupe, Kids Castle, Joseph Waterbury Electric, Caldwell Enterprises, Hamman Real Estate, Gridley Moose Lodge, Gridley Rotary, Safeway, Nacho’s Electric, Kalkat Fruit & Nut, Orchard Hospital, Les Schwab, City of Gridley, CALFIRE, Gridley Lions, Gridley Country Ford, Kari Wheeler with EXP Realty, and the Gridley Herald.