2024 Tehachapi Christmas Parade Winners announced

Provided.

Terra-Gen Operating Company stole the show with their float, winning Overall Winner.

The 2024 Tehachapi Christmas Parade has officially wrapped up, marking the largest event in its 23-year history.

The parade, which took place on Dec. 7, saw a stunning 52 entries from a wide-range of participants, including small businesses, large corporations, local organizations, churches and even a beautifully decorated school bus from the Tehachapi School District. Among the highlights was an impressive display by Tehachapi Cement (formerly Martin Marietta), which showcased one of its massive apparatus, drawing cheers from the crowd. However, the real show-stopper and Overall Winner for the 2024 parade was Terra-Gen Operating Company's Joy to the World float. The massive brightly-lit float included an entire cast of riders surrounding a giant spinning world topped with flying reindeer. At the back of the float was a wooden cabin adorned with a porch swing. Children waved from the cabin and the participants sang and waved throughout the parade.

The parade route snaked through Downtown Tehachapi, starting at F Street, turning on Robinson Street and making its way down Tehachapi Boulevard. Thousands of excited residents lined the streets to witness the beautiful floats, enjoy holiday cheer and purchase fun toys. As the parade neared its conclusion, the community was treated to a special moment when Grand Marshal Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus disembarked from their float at the end of the route to light the town's magnificent Christmas Tree.

The annual event was made possible thanks to the generous support of several sponsors, including Coldwell Banker Frontier, the City of Tehachapi, Hydrostor and Pacific Steel Group. Their contributions helped create a magical and safe atmosphere for both participants and attendees.

This year's parade featured a wide-variety of categories, each showcasing the creativity and talent of the community. We want to thank all the participants that came and brought their holiday cheer! The winners of the 2024 parade were:

• Terra-Gen (Overall Winner!): Commercial Float Class

• Tehachapi Warrior Band: Marching Band Class

• CDCR (California Department of Corrections): Marching Unit - Color Guard Class

• Dance Philosophy: Marching Unit - Dance School Class

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church: Organization Float Class

• Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo: Miscellaneous Float Class

• Santa and Mrs. Claus: Antique Vehicle Class

• Dawn and Tim Jones: Classic Vehicle Class

• Dirty Desert Rats Strike Again: Miscellaneous Vehicle Class

• TUSD Transportation: Miscellaneous School Class

• Apple Festival Queens: Queens and Princesses Class

• Elves on Horses: Equestrian Group Class

• Santa's Toy Soldiers: Equestrian Pair Class

• T-Town Riderz: Miscellaneous Other Class

A heartfelt thank you goes out to David and Barbara Shaw, who have dedicated the last 23 years to organizing the Tehachapi Christmas Parade. Their leadership and passion have been essential to the success of this community's tradition, and their tireless efforts have left a lasting mark on Tehachapi's holiday celebrations.

The parade was a true testament to the spirit of the season, bringing smiles to faces and warmth to hearts all across the town. Organizers and participants alike are already looking forward to next year's parade. Stay tuned to the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce (GTCC) social media for next year's theme announcement, and get ready for another spectacular event! (@chambertehachapi on Instagram and the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce business center on Facebook).

Clare Scotti is the Executive Director of the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce.