Encinitas Holiday Parade Winners Announced

drew tens of thousands of spectators — the biggest turnout yet. 

This year’s theme, “Encinitas 25- Celebrating our Beginning,” inspired plenty of over-the-top entries, but ultimately, the judges had to make the tough call and select their favorite floats. Below is a rundown of who took which prize:

Best Use of Theme

• 1^st Place:  Never Been In A Parade Before (N.B.I.A.P.B. is a local group of Encinitas neighbors and friends)
• 2^nd Place:  YMCA Bear Princess Nation
• 3^rd Place:  Downtown Encinitas Mainstreet Association (DEMA) 

Best Use of Lights

• 1^st Place:  North County School for the Arts
• 2^nd Place:  Team in Training
• 3^rd Place:   DEMA (tie)
• 3^rd Place:  Encinitas Elks Lodge (tie)

Best Use of Flowers

• 1^st Place: Encinitas Elks Lodge
• 2^nd Place: Mira Costa College
• 3^rd Place: Girl Scouts Encinitas Service Unit

Best Children's Group

• 1^st Place:  YMCA Bear Princess Nation
• 2^nd Place: YMCA Redhawk Nation (tie)
• 2^nd Place: Dance Connection (tie)
• 3^rd Place:  North County School for the Arts

Best Performance

• 1^st Place:  Ada Harris Elementary
• 2^nd Place: Mira Costa College (tie)
• 2^nd Place: Encinitas Country Day School (tie)
• 3^rd Place:  Girl Scouts Encinitas Service Unit 

Best Representation of the Year 1986

• 1^st Place:  N.B.I.A.P.B.
• 2^nd Place: YMCA- Bear Princess Nation
• 3^rd Place:  Olivenhain Country Day Preschool & Infant Center

Community

• 1^st Place: Encinitas Country Day School
• 2^nd Place: San Diego Woody Club
• 3^rd Place:  Leucadia Town Council

Best Marching Band

• 1^st Place:  San Dieguito Academy Marching Band
• 2^nd Place: La Costa Canyon High School Marching Band
• 3^rd Place:  Oak Crest & Diegueno Combined Marching Band 

Most Unusual

• 1^st Place:  Team Paradox Robotics
• 2^nd Place:  Encinitas Country Day School
• 3^rd Place:  SDA Japanese National Honor Society

Best Overall

• 1^st Place:  YMCA Bear Princess Nation
• 2^nd Place: DEMA
• 3^rd Place:  Encinitas Country Day School