Ukiah’s State Street was lined yesterday evening by thousands of community members with rosy cheeks and festive hearts to watch the Truckers Light Parade, an annual holiday gathering centered around local businesses and participants decorating their vehicles with Christmas lights and parading down State Street competing to be declared “The Grand Champion.”
Ukiah Mayor Juan Orozco, Executive Director of Visit Mendocino Travis Scott, and Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall served as judges for the event.
The participating vehicles had a particularly Mendocino County flavor ranging from a semi-truck hauling felled redwood, a convoy of off-road-ready Jeeps, an 80s Ford Bronco sporting two American flags, and a caravan of utility terrain vehicles.
There were several participating vehicles that were replete with social gatherings. One semi-truck had cut large openings in the container and over a dozen friends and family were inside, waving at the parade go-ers and being merry.
The following vehicles were the winners of the 2021 Truckers Light Parade:
- First place and “Grand Champion”- Granite Construction
- Second Place and “Best of Show”- Greater Ukiah Business and Tourism Alliance
- Third Place and Honorable Mention- Hernandez Electric
- Best of the City of Ukiah- the Rudolph Truck (2nd District Supervisor Mo Mulheren noted, “city vehicles are just doing it for fun and not prizes so they get their own category.”)
Remember, for any residents craving more holiday festivities, the City of Ukiah is hosting the Let it Glow Lighting Competition where Ukiah residents can decorate their homes, and then be included on a map of all participants, and the winner is chosen by Ukiah residents make the drive and vote on best of the best. Check-in on this website for more information.
Also, Ukiah has once again installed a holiday skating rink near Alex Thomas Plaza. Residents can rent a pair of skates and feel the ice beneath their blades. Throughout December, the ice rink will host various theme nights including Star Wars Night, Couples Night, Super Hero Night, 80s Night, and Harry Potter Night.
And now, for your visual pleasure, some of our choice pictures from last night’s Truckers Parade:
Great pictures! Thank you! Wish someone was able to video the parade for us that weren’t able to be out with the crowd! GREAT JOB UKIAH!🎄💜