BY JOE CORTEZ AND KRISTINA HACKER

Turlock Journal

Local dentists will be having a banner month following the 43rd annual Turlock Christmas Parade on Friday. The parade theme of Sweets & Treats saw gingerbread, candy canes, lollipops and edible delights galore fill Main Street as hundreds gathered to celebrate the season with this holiday tradition.

Among those watching the parade Friday were Amanda Moore, a Turlock native and secretary at Turlock Junior High School, and her mother Carla Hansen. These two set up their chairs on the corner of Canal and Oak streets. Three chairs, one for Amanda's son. Amanda's daughter was roaming the route with her friends.

“I’ve been coming my whole life,” said Moore. “I love parades. I wish my kids loved them as much, but they come with me.”

Carla was born in the old Turlock hospital, about 20 yards where they were sitting.

“I haven’t made it very far in life,” Hansen quipped.

“We live just about 50 yards away, just around the corner from where we’re sitting,” added Moore.

Also along Canal Drive on Friday night was Rory Nix, 14, a Turlock High freshman. This is the sixth time she has participated in the parade. In past as a Girl Scout or a member of 4-H, this year representing Turlock High School FFA.

“I like to see all my friends and hang out with them on the float,” she said. “I just love doing it.”

Rafael and Caley Campos had their two boys, ages 3 and 1, bundled up in blankets in a side-by-side two-seater stroller. The children seemed enthralled by all the activity. This is the second consecutive year that they’ve attended the parade.

“Once you start having little ones, you start to do more (parades).”

Rosie Schlenker comes to the parade every year. This year she had a child riding in the Sacred Heart School float and she decided to walk alongside.

“All the floats and the families that get together … I love that Turlock has a small-town feel. All of us come together and talk and hang out … it gets us all in the Christmas spirit.”

The City of Turlock’s Recreation Department and the Turlock Firefighters Local 2434 will once again sponsored the parade that included 78 total entries made up of schools, community groups, businesses, scout troops and churches displaying their holiday spirit in the form of lights and wonder.