Awards

This year's Christmas in Cullman Parade participants will have more ways to win! Part of the fun and excitement of our annual Christmas parade are the creative, festive floats entered by local businesses, organizations, schools, and community groups. Floats are evaluated and awarded in five categories recognizing their holiday spirit, imagination, and presentation:

• Most Creative - $500: This award celebrates the float that impresses the judges with its imagination, originality, and ingenuity, incorporating unique designs, materials, and presentation elements into an innovative entry.
• Best Spirit - $500: This award goes to the float that most fully embodies and conveys the delight, excitement, and good cheer of the holiday season through its costumes, music, and enthusiastic performers.
• Best Characters - $500: This award recognizes the entry with the most entertaining and lively costumed characters who bring its theme to life with their energetic antics and interactions with parade-goers. (Remember, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Buddy the Elf, and the Grinch are special characters and not allowed by participants)
• Best Vehicles - $500: This award honors the float featuring the most colorful, creatively decorated vehicles, from bikes and cars to trucks and tractors, festooned with lights, garlands, and other holiday adornments.
• Best Marching Band - $1,000: This award celebrates the marching band that impresses the judges with its festive music, colorful uniforms, synchronized routines, and high energy, filling the parade route with holiday cheer. The winning band will showcase skilled musicianship, lively drumlines and auxiliaries, and dynamic marching choreography for an exceptional performance full of Christmas spirit.
• Best Overall - $2,500: This top award goes to the exceptional float that combines creativity, spirit, dynamic characters, and festive vehicles into a truly stand-out, high-impact entry celebrating the wonder and joy of Christmas.

Winners are selected by a panel of community judges and announced during the parade broadcast. We encourage all entrants to tap into their holiday creativity and bring smiles to spectators as you proudly represent your group in the parade!