When you think of holiday parades, the first thing that will likely come to mind is Christmas, followed by Thanksgiving. However, for many Mercedians, we will now be thinking about Halloween.
Thanks to the hard work of staff members in the Merced Parks and Recreation Department, with the support of a list of fantastic local organizations, the inaugural “Nightmare on Main Street Parade” last Saturday, Oct. 12, was a major hit with the community.
Thousands of enthusiastic locals, many dressed up in their best costumes, flooded downtown for the festivities. Ahead of the parade, there were games, airbrush tattoos, prizes, and most importantly, a variety of treats for attendees.
More than 30 youngsters participated in the children’s costume contest at Bob Harts Square. The categories were Scariest, Most Creative, and Best Duo. Prizes for the contest were donated by Hunter Farms and included a family four pack of passes to the Hunter Farms Pumpkin Patch in Atwater.
The parade itself was made up of 15 customized community floats, with the whole thing ending with a “Zombie Hoard” — a free parade walk for costumed residents to join. Notably, heading the parade charge was the Merced Fire Department with Mayor Matt Serratto throwing candy from the top of a fire truck.
In the float competition, Adventum Bikes took home 1st Place. The Merced City Public Works — Wastewater Treatment Plant captured 2nd Place. And 3rd Place went to Insidelines Graphics & Merced Electric Company.
“Today’s Nightmare on Main Street Parade was a wonderful way to kick off the Halloween season,” said Rhonda Batson, one of the parade judges and a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “A big thank you to all involved with putting this together. It was so needed. Our community came out and had a great time. It felt like the Christmas Parade all over again. The kiddos had a ball in the Kids Zone, and the range of costumes was so cool. Toddlers to adults dressed to impress, and they did. … I sure hope that they bring this event back to Merced because it was one of the best family-friendly events around. I was so proud to be able to judge this first annual event.”
Kudos also goes to the following parade participants: Merced Youth Soccer Association, Merced High School Leo Club, Ice Pop Parade, The Branding Iron, Ellison’s Painting, Merced Auto Resources, Pro Appliance, All in a Day Moving Service, The Ojeda Group and Masala Express.
The roster of parade judges included Miss Merced County Teen, Hallie Billings; Director of City of Merced Parks & Community Services, Christopher Jensen; UC Merced Executive Director, Government Relations & Deputy Chief of Staff, Cori Lucero; Merced City Youth Council Member, Yuritzy Espinoza; and UC Merced Student, Ana Quintana-Ceja.