Fireworks and festivities led up to and rounded out this year's Clearwater Winter Parade, held in downtown Eau Claire on Friday, Dec. 5. The holiday parade's route traveled along W. Grand Ave. before turning down First Ave., where flocks of candy-hungry kiddos and families lined the streets. 

Grace Lutheran Church's warming center opened just ahead of the parade's kickoff, offering complimentary drinks, snacks and other activities. The pop of fireworks lit up the night sky before the trove of roughly 50 floats – which were decked out for this year's theme, "Under The Sea" – meandered along the downtown route.

This year's float awards were determined by a panel of judges – Holly Johnson of Wipfli, Chelsea Seckora from the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce, Jess Gretzlock of Minnesota Wire and Clint Van Sambeek of Miron Construction – and were announced on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

• Best Use of Lights: L.E. Phillips Senior Center
• Best Use of Theme: Student Transit
• Best of City of Eau Claire Divisions: Utilities
• Most Entertaining: En Avant School of Dance
• Judge's Choice: Property Shoppe

Special shoutout to the 74 community volunteers who made the event possible alongside event sponsors, the City of Eau Claire Recreation Dept. and various city crews. If you missed it (or were busy catching candy), here's a look into the parade!: