The 85th annual Winters Youth Day came with slight changes this year, but Youth Day committee members still brought out the small-town fun and spirit for the community to enjoy.
The Kiwanis Club of Winters organized the 9th annual Duck Derby on Friday, April 28, outside of the Winters Community Center. Children were invited to plant sunflower or California poppy seeds and play in a cloud of bubbles as community members adopted the last of the rubber duck racers.
With kayakers at the ready, the ducks dove into Putah Creek. Some tapped out early, while others floated lazily toward the finish line. The 2023 Duck Derby winners included Joel Kling’s duck in first, Bob Young’s duck in second place and Dawn Edwards’ duck in third place. The last duck pulled from the creek belonged to Stacey Hall. Hall will receive a flock of ducks in the 2024 Duck Derby event.
The number of entries in this year’s Youth Day Main Parade was fewer in numbers, but it didn’t stop the community from lining the streets to wave and celebrate those who signed up to march down Main Street. This year’s Kiddie Parade and Main Parade winners include:
Kiddie Parade
Sweepstakes Award: MaryElla and LillyBelle Galabasa
Decorated Bicycle
First Place: Audrey and Leah Gallo, and Finnegan Nolan; Second Place: Jay Vickrey; Third Place: Josiah Gisi
Costume
First Place: Sadie and Noelle Balogh; Second Place: Mieka McClain, Brooke Plechaty, Nora Nolan, and Emily Adams; Third Place: Owen and Alba Unger
Wagon/Scooter
First Place: Marcus and Mariah Langum; Second Place: Abby and Jack Nelson; Third Place: Max and Matias Sanchez
Pet
First Place: KJ Kaeser and Olivia Driver; Second Place: June Lonergan; Third Place: Cooper Connolly
Group
First Place: Alessandra and Cesar Jesus; Second Place: Brinn and Chelsea Medina; Third Place: Cody and Brynlee Johnston
Mini Float
First Place: Emerson Skaggs; Second Place: Camryn and Carson Conner, June Lonergan, and Dahlia Alameda; Third Place: Michol and Bryant Prado-Garcia
Main Parade
Sweepstakes Award: Roxie’s Flower Truck
Floats
First Place Other Schools Float: Winters Middle School Club Live
Marching Units
First Place Senior Marching Unit: Napa Pepperettes Senior Baton Corps. Napa, CA
First Place Junior Marching Unit: Winters Girl Scouts Marching Unit, Second Place Junior Marching Unit: Napa Pepperettes Junior Baton Corps. Napa, CA
Bands
First Place High School Band: Winters High School Band
First Place Junior High Band: Winters Middle School Band
First Place Other Bands: Winters Friends of the Library Band
Color Guards
First Place Senior Color Guard: Yolo Post 77 American Legion
Fire Trucks
First Place Antique: 1940 Buffalo – Winters Fire Department
Autos
First Place Custom Auto – Trophy – American Chopper – Sam Fernandez
First Place Classic Auto: 1929 Model A Ford – Frank Martinez, Second Place Classic Auto: 1956 Ford Fairlane Sunliner – Ryan Langlai
Novelty
First Place Novelty Vehicle: Cibara Motor Corps, Sacramento; Second Place Novelty Vehicle: California Dream Express Train
First Place Novelty Marching Unit: Winters Friends of the Library, Second Place Novelty Marching Unit: Golden Retrievers Drill Team
Horses
(All First Place Trophies )
Senior Sweepstakes Award: Halima Barnes, Lodi
First Place Charro Mounted Group: Los Caporales Charros, Woodland
First Place Miniature Class: Halima Barnes, Lodi
First Place Family Group: Rancho Tres Potrancas, Winters
First Place Sheriff’s Posse: Yolo County Sheriff’s Posse Mounted Unit
