Winners in McMinnville’s 2011 Christmas Parade have been announced. The People’s Choice Award of $200 went to Project Graduation 2012.
Horton, provided by Durham School Services, took first place in the business category. Employee efforts to turn a school bus into an elephant will net them $150. Second place of $100 went to Lassiter’s Inc.
“The mood after I told them that we won first place was incredible,” Durham general manager Brian Riley said of notifying his staff. “People were yelling, clapping and smiling.”
Winners in the other categories:
• Best band — Warren County High School Band marched into first place and $100.
• Church/ civic/ community organization — First place $150 went to Pearls of Christ Church, with second $100 going to VFW Ladies and Men’s Auxiliary
• Small club/ non-profit (less than 20 members) — First place $50 went to Cub Scout Park No. 172. WC Genealogical Association took second place and $25.
• School sponsored group — Irving College cheerleaders took first place $200, with second place’s $150 going to WCMS 5-6 grade girls basketball.
• Horse and rider club/ mules or horses and hitch —  First place $50 went to Generations Gaither Group. Tootsie’s Trail Riders came in second and galloped off with $25.
• Antique car or truck — Frank Bond rode off with first place and $50, with Glenda Cantrell earned $25 for second place.
• Car/ truck club — First place $50 went to The Shop.
The parade is presented by the city of McMinnville. Prizes will be presented to the winners Tuesday at 6 p.m. on the second floor of city hall.