Grand Prize—Best of Parade
Monterey Bay Training Club
Grand Prize: Knox Roofing
Crowd Pleaser: Pacific Arts Complex
Ole’ Time Favorite: Clampers
Adult Groups
First Prize: Begonia Festival
Judges’ Choice: Second Harvest
Most Patriotic: Aegis Living
Most Unique: Worldanz
Bands
First Prize: Ukulele Club
Judges’ Choice: The Digbeats
Most Colorful: Watsonville Community Band
Cars
First Prize: Malcolm Park
Most Patriotic: Aptos VFW
Most Unique: Bellows Plumbing
Children’s Groups
First Prize: Girl Scouts of the Central Coast
Judges’ Choice: Jacob’s Heart
Most Patriotic: Cub Scout Pack 676
Most Unique: Aptos Little League 7/8 All-Stars
Floats
Judges’ Choice: Aptos Little League 8/9 All-Stars
Most Original: Santa Cruz Warriors
Best Theme: Calvary Chapel Aptos
Individual
First Prize: Rex for Rent
Second Prize: Linde Harum Lawrence – 1932 Chevy Coupe
Third Prize: D. Mike Epperson – 1961 Maserati
Fourth Prize: Keith Calderon – 1936 Ford Sedan
Pets
Best Costume: St. John Baptist Church
Cutest: Wilbur the Piglet
First Prize: West Coast Great Pyrenees
Judges’ Choice: Myrtle the Turtle
Trucks
First Prize: Extreme Towing
Most Patriotic: Community Bridges
Most Unique: Granite Construction
Schools
Most Spirited: Kristy’s School of Dance
Best of Theme: St. Andrews Preschool
World’s Shortest Parade Recognized
By John Hibble
An article in Land’s End Journal has recognized the “World’s Shortest Parade” in Aptos as one of “America’s Most Unique July Fourth Celebrations.”
The Journal showcased six small town 4th of July celebrations that they considered to be exceptional. The Aptos “World’s Shortest Parade” previously gained national recognition as one of only seven Fourth of July parades recommended in 2013 as the “Best” by prestigious Condé Nast Traveler.
Worlds Shortest Parade A Success!
By Noel Smith
The 56th Aptos 4th of July parade was again a huge success thanks to efforts by the Aptos Chamber of Commerce, volunteers and parade sponsors: Sutter Health/PAMF, Allen Property Group, Times Publishing Group, greenwaste, Wells Fargo, Earthworks and Coldwell Banker.
Each year the parade draws hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators to this short stretch of Soquel running throughout the heart of Aptos between the Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center and Aptos Village.
This event offers something for everyone, whether you’re a smiling child riding a bike with streamers, school students, teachers and parents celebrating their school spirit, young and not-so-young dancers showing off their stuff, Little League teams celebrating their accomplishments, business owners showing their pride in our community, civic leaders being recognized for their achievements, or a collector of automotive technology riding in a restored 1924 Pierce Arrow or a stunning 2015 Ferrari: it’s a great way to celebrate our country’s independence in the community of Aptos.
