Ten of the
best high school marching bands in the state showcase their
talents and compete for honors in this year’s street parade
competition, recognizing bands for both their holiday
lighting presentation and music and marching abilities.
2007 Parade Award Winners:
Best Music and Marching Performance: 1st place: Legacy
High School Lightning Marching Band
2nd place: Arapahoe High School Warrior Marching Band
3rd place: Ralston Valley High School Mustang Marching Band
Best Lighting and
Overall Presentation: 1st place:
Arapahoe High School Warrior Marching Band
2nd place: Legacy High School Lightning Marching Band
3rd place: Columbine High School Rebel Marching Band Overall Winners: 1st place: Legacy
High School Lightning Marching Band
2nd place: Arapahoe High School Warrior Marching Band
3rd place: Columbine High School Rebel Marching Band This year’s marching bands
include: Arapahoe High School,
Columbine High School, Denver Public Schools Citywide,
Gateway High School, Highlands Ranch High School,
Lakewood High School, Legacy High School, Littleton High School
and Ralston Valley High School.
Santa
Claus - Clearly one of the parade’s most anticipated moments is the arrival of Santa Claus. This beautiful float, stretching 32-feet long, 12-feet wide and 13-feet high, features Santa riding high atop an ice carved sleigh resting on an iceberg somewhere near the North Pole. A dozen animated penguins slide, play and wave from the float as elves and Santa’s helpers accompany the unit on the street. This exciting finale unit marks the end of the parade.
The Clock
Tower celebrates the beauty of Downtown Denver’s
architecture and attractions. It depicts a stunning outline in
white and gold lights of Denver’s
ever-changing skyline and
features its most enduring landmark, a brilliantly lit version
of the D&F Tower. The clock tower, decorated in glowing
neon colors, black lights and chaser lights, rises to more
that 20-feet high. It can lower down to 13.5-feet
to clear
overhead obstacles along the parade route.
The float is 32-feet long and 12.8-feet wide.
Ship
of Lights This beautiful float will dazzle with thousands of
lights, but not just any lights! For the first time in parade
history, this float will be lighted with the incredibly efficient and
bright LED lights! Come and experience the amazing difference LED
lights can make! Sponsored by
DIOGEN Lighting.
Carousel sparks the imagination in us
all as a winter garden comes to life with animated evergreen animals
circling a frozen flower carousel. Some 30-feet long, 13-feet wide and
16-feet high, the beautiful greenery and flowers that encompass the unit
appear to have been quick frosted, glistening with iridescent glitter,
mini-lights and other special lighting effects. The entire carousel turns
majestically while topiary animals move up and down. Within the rich
greens, golds, reds, yellows and blues of the forest and flowers are four
costumed riders who provide the motion of the carousel as well as raise
and lower the canopy to pass under overhead obstacles.
Christmas Story
this float is entirely supported by a coalition of local churches. This 30-foot long float celebrates
Christmas by bringing the traditional nativity scene to life. For more information on this unit, you will have to wait and see it on Parade night!
Sponsored by Archdiocese of Denver, Faith Bible Chapel, Orchard
Road Christian Center, Victory Church, Heritage Christian Center and the
Colorado Christian Community.
The
Nutcrackerbrings
the classic
holiday story to life on this beautiful float
complete with Clara riding
in a magical boat that looks like a giant swan, while
overlooking a fairytale castle and an animated Mouse King. Joining the fun
are toy
soldiers and nutcrackers marching alongside.
Sponsored by DIRECTV
Mountain
Magic recreates a miniature adaptation of one of
Colorado’s world famous ski resorts. Some 30-feet long by
10-feet wide by 13-feet high, this float features a
snowcapped mountain peak punctuated with evergreen trees and a
working ski lift. Animated skiers race down both sides of the
mountain, past friendly red lodges and across the finish line.
Hundred of miniature trees and a flurry of artificial
snowflakes are used to decorate this classic Colorado winter
scene.
Sponsored by 9NEWS
The
Gingerbread House is a feast for the eyes and a sweet
lover's fantasy. This whimsical float is covered with larger-than-life
candy, and is accompanied by giant chocolate candy kisses, peppermint
patties and candy canes parading down the street.
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Toy
Box Friendsmakes
every child's
dream comes true as toy box friends become bigger than life.
Featuring toy soldiers, an airplane flown by a teddy bear, a
rocking horse, building blocks and a family of bright yellow
ducks, this float is accompanied by favorite toys that are sure
to win the hearts of young and old alike. Sponsored by
Southwest Airlines.
The playful, 28-foot tall Penguin balloon - the parade
mascot - will
delight young and old parade viewers alike.
The Puppy With
Newspaper is a
45-foot long version of one of
Colorado's favorite furry friends retrieving the morning news.
Sponsored by Post-News Season to Share.
The Red-Nosed
Reindeer is one of the parade’s most familiar faces, especially
with that bright red nose.
Heralding the arrival of Santa
Claus, this 40-foot reindeer is a favorite sight for parade-goers.
A
new balloon! That will please the young and the
young at heart!
We would like to take a moment to thank all of the participants throughout the parade who's unit help to liven the parade. Those include, Denver Firefighters
Local 858, Denver Police Mounted Patrol, Black Hawk Fire Department
and the Community Choir.
This year's 9NEWS Parade of Lights is proud to celebrate the
cultural and ethnic diversity of the region by featuring
Colorado Mestizo Dancers, Denver Taiko and Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu
Association.
In addition, special performers enliven the parade every step of the
way, including performances by Action Dance Express, Colorado
Clowns, Colorado Fire Tribe, Colorado School of Dance Gold Medal Pom
Team, Denver Marching Knights, Inspirations Dance Company, Kit
Andree Performing Arts Centre, Peak Academy of Dance, Revive, Sound
Waves and State of the Arts Studio for Dance and the Performing
Arts.
Choirs will sing Christmas carols before and after the parade along
the parade route. Also featured in the parade are the
Black Hawk Fire Department, City & County of Denver Public Works
Department and the Denver Sheriff Department Honor Guard.
With its cast of thousands, the 33rd annual 9NEWS Parade of Lights
will continue to be spectacular in its entertainment and dazzling
lights!
