Parade Of Champions Santa Clara 2023

The 54th annual Santa Clara Parade of Champions took place on October 7, 2023. This long-standing tradition, which began in 1945 to welcome home World War II veterans, has grown into a significant community celebration that highlights local and regional champions. The 2023 event featured a variety of attractions, including marching bands, musical groups, community organizations, and appearances by the Santa Clara Fire Department. The parade ran from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with festivities starting at 8 a.m. and continuing until 5 p.m. in historic downtown Santa Clara. The festivities included a Community Village with vendors, artisans, food trucks, and live music, culminating in a street dance​ (Santa Clara News Online)​​ (SC Parade of Champions)​. The grand marshals for this year were Donna de Varona, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer; Krazy George Henderson, an iconic cheerleader for the San Jose Earthquakes; and beloved characters from Great America, including Snoopy, Lucy, and Charlie Brown. The event also honored local heroes like Chris Carver, head coach of Artistic Swim, and Rudy Vera, chief umpire for SCPAL​ (SC Parade of Champions)​. The parade and associated activities were broadcast on Santa Clara City Television, allowing those unable to attend in person to enjoy the celebration​