Celebrating the 100th year of the Clovis Rodeo, the Kiwanis organization presented the Clovis Children’s Electric Christmas Parade (CCECP), Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. The parade has been an on going tradition for many years but has been sponsored by the club for eight of those years. This parade features youth around the community in order for them to display their talents and a way to give back to the community.

The Kiwanis is a non-profit global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. This group holds about 8,000 clubs in 96 countries that all have the same mission: to serve the children of the world. The CCECP is a simple way to accomplish that mission.

There are generous sponsors who give to the parade yearly, such as Sierra Vista Mall. The event is an expensive project that many people do not realize as told by Carol Dogey, treasurer of the Kiwanis. Advertising is also donated through a local radio station and CBS 47.

“People don’t truly realize how expensive this event is,” Dogey said. “Sierra Vista play a huge roll in sponsoring us, we have Future of Kia who helps shuttle people from the mall to the parade and we have the Khols department who sends us volunteers.”

Attending this event viewers were able to witness many marching bands, children playing instruments, and a variety of floats decked out in lights. The evening was a way to start off the Christmas season for many families especially for Susan Avery, attende to the annual parade.

“I have been coming to the parade for about 10 to 15 years,” Avery said. ” The Clovis spirit and Christmas spirit are the reasons why I like the parade. I love the joy, happiness and how Christ is celebrated. The bands are my favorite and it was nice because I got to see my niece who is the director for the Clark [Intermediate] band. The fellowship, old town [Clovis] lit up and the vibe just makes the night.”

People crowded the sidewalks earlier in the day to save seats for the evening. As the time of the parade approached roads were blocked off, people walking trying to find seats and families formed lines by the hot chocolate truck. The night began with the Clovis Police Department leading the way on their motorcycles. The Clovis East High School Air Force Junior ROTC was next to lead off the night.

The event featured many groups in the Clovis community from Clovis Unified school marching bands, motorcycle clubs, fire departments, local churches plus their floats and so much more.

The event has expanded through the years as told by Dogey. The only change the parade has encountered is its growth.

“I don’t think it has really changed through the years,” Dogey said. “Its really expanded. The entries this year is great, years ago it was 60 entries and from there it has only gone up. Last year was 80 entries but this year its 93, its great.”

Dogey continues to explain her joy for the evening and the spirit of christmas it brings. The children who participate in procession bring the event to life and unite the community of Clovis.

“The floats and the kids who participate in the parade make this event,” Dogey said. “This event provides and annual tradition that helps start the season off for a lot of people. Its always the first Saturday of the December and it just unites the community.”

Gabe Shenk, first year viewer of the parade, told of his satisfaction of the parade. Shenk enjoyed watching his nephew perform in the Clovis North marching band and the happiness it brings to the community.

“This was my first year at the parade and it has been really nice,” Shenk said. “I don’t know if I have a favorite part but I just enjoy all the lights and the happy people. The evening has been very creative; its not a bunch of the same things coming down the road, its different. I brought my family becuase I saw a sign driving down Clovis Avenue, so here we are enjoying the night.”

For more information about the parade, contact the Old Town Clovis Kiwanis Club call 559.916.9124. Please return to this article later this week for a VIDEO highlighting the parade.

This author can be reached via Twitter: @han_avila. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.

For more features, read the Dec. 9 article, Superintendent announces retirement.