Dorothy Young Electric Light Parade
This year the Dorothy Young Electric Light Parade celebrated its 20th year. The parade is one of the most anticipated events in the Desert Southwest and each year roughly 40,000 people line up along Yuma's North End to catch a glimpse of the lit-up floats, bands, and cars that coast along the parade route. Each year the parade ends in Historic Downtown Yuma, where spectators claim their spots hours before the event even starts.
The 2023 Parade Theme: Travel Forward
This year's theme was "Travel Forward" paying homage to the Desert Southwest's Past, Present, and future. We looked to our citizens to pay tribute to our community's past, whether it be its ties to the Gold Rush, Aviation, or even the history of the Colorado River. We asked them to share the incredible things we have to offer in the here and now and where they think we will be in a hundred years.
Official 2023 Parade Route
2023 Winners
Awards were given for the following categories:
Mary Jane Allen Award for Best Depiction of Parade Theme
4th Avenue Junior High
Float
The Quechan Tribe
Vehicle
New Class Car Club
Animal
Grooming by Josephine
Walking/Performing
Gadsden Folkloric Dancers
Dorothy Young Memorial Trophy for Best Performance by a Marching Band
Gadsden Elementary School District #32 Marching Band
Arizona's Best Historic Main Street Community
Downtown Yuma has been named Arizona's Best Historic Main Street Community in 2017 by Official Best Of — a travel show which spotlights top attractions and activities across the United States!
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