TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - The curbs and sidewalks were certainly crowded Saturday night as huge crowds showed up for the 21st Downtown Parade of Lights.
25,000 people were expected to attend the parade that included almost 85 floats and 1,800 participants.
Mayor Jonathan Rothschild lit the tree in Armory Park to get the parade started, he followed that up singing a few Christmas carols on stage.
By 6:30 p.m. the floats took over 6th Ave. and Stone Ave.
From the crowd, many children took to their parents shoulders to view the parade.
"I can see a lot from up here!" said Emma Fitzgerald while sitting on her father's shoulders.
"I like it because there's lights!" said Zion St. Clair while sitting on his dad's shoulders.
Included in the parade this year was KGUN9's radio partner: 106.3 The Groove. They created a life-sized snow globe with a radio DJ playing music from the inside.
"It seemed like mass chaos at first, but it really came together in the end and we're excited about it," said Rascal, morning radio show host.
The parade also included a competition for the floats, the winners are as follows:
- Best of Show - City of Tucson Parks and Recreation
- Best use of Lights - Old Pueblo Fire Brigade
- Best Musical Group - Tucson High Marching 100
- Best Cultural Group - Viva Performing Arts Center
- Best Youth Group - John Valenzuela Youth Center
