Modesto Christmas parade went on in the rain? You bet your lights it did

Modesto area residents had a clear message for Mother Nature on a not-so-clear Saturday night: Go ahead, rain on our parade, we’ll turn out anyway.

It wasn’t exactly a downpour Saturday night — 0.15 inches of rain was recorded by the Modesto Irrigation District between 5 and 9 p.m. — but it was enough to pull out umbrellas and make the streets reflect all the glow that gives the Celebration of Lights Parade its name.

“We’d like to thank all of the dedicated parade entries, volunteers and staff that made this event happen,” city Parks, Recreation and Neighborhoods Manager Ashley Weaver told The Bee by email.

She also shared the parade entry winners by category division:

  • Junior High School Band Division – Mark Twain Jr. High School Band

  • Nonprofit Division – Celebration Center

  • Small Commercial Business Division – The Original Modesto Tint

  • Youth Division – Modesto Chargers Youth Football and Cheer

  • Classic Vehicle Division – Modesto Drift Trikes

  • Large Commercial Business Division – Frito-Lay Modesto

  • Community Division – Luv2Dance

  • Sweepstakes Winner – Roberts Auto/My Little Balloon Company Co./Valley Music Institute

VMI Rocks entry in the Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
VMI Rocks entry in the Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Rain falls as people watch the Celebration of Lights holiday parade on J Street in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Rain falls as people watch the Celebration of Lights holiday parade on J Street in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Modesto councilmember Chris Ricci waves to the crowd from a tilted Chevy Impala during the Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Modesto councilmember Chris Ricci waves to the crowd from a tilted Chevy Impala during the Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Modesto Mayor Sue Zwhalen waves to the crown on I Street during the Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
Modesto Mayor Sue Zwhalen waves to the crown on I Street during the Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
A Frito Lay freight Tesla truck drives in the Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.
A Frito Lay freight Tesla truck drives in the Celebration of Lights holiday parade in Modesto, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022.