PHOTO GALLERY: 16th Annual Christmas Light Parade

The annual Christmas Light Parade was held this weekend in Beaumont, and the crowds turned out to see the lights cruise down Palm Avenue.

Entries ranged from a firetruck decked out in lights to a giant Santa towering over the street.

Cub Scout pack 322, driving Beaumont Mayor Pro Tem David Castaldo's 1964 American La France fire engine, won first place in the parade.

After that parade, Old Saint Nick gave his reindeer and sleigh a rest Sunday in Beaumont, opting instead for a ride aboard a fire truck -- with police escorts -- on a 22-mile tour through the city.

"Operation Santa" started around 5 p.m. at the Beaumont police station and make a circuit through residential areas, including Oak Valley Greens, Seneca Springs, Sundance and Three Rings Ranch, according to organizers.

The idea behind the project is to spread some holiday cheer and give kids a chance to visit with Kris Kringle while meeting some of the city's public safety officials, organizers said.

Santa's journey was announced with lights and sirens and included three stops -- the city park off Oak View Drive, the Stater Bros supermarket at 1430 Oak Valley Parkway and the Walmart at 1540 Second St.

-- Photos submitted by the city of Beaumont.  City News Service contributed to this report.