Welcome to our Community  

The Santa Clara Parade of Champions (SCPOC) has been a time-honored legacy in Santa Clara since 1945. Generations of Santa Clarans have never forgotten the memories and sense of community that the parade reinforced year after year. Our 501c3 Non profit organization of grass roots volunteers are grateful to our Champions for the generous support in  bringing back our beloved 52-year-old parade after a 24 year hiatus--we made history together!

Last year we had 10K in attendance and over 2K in the parade.  There were amazing custom floats and 20ft Balloons, marching bands from around the Bay Area, WWII Veterans, Rosie the Riveter, Blue Star Moms, Professional and youth sports and community groups, community, cultural, civic and business leaders.  Even our  Grand Marshals have deep roots in Santa Clara--Champions like Brandi Chastain, Jerry Smith, Carney Lansford, and Paul Rosa all came out in support of our historic return.

Clearly this year, COVID-19 has changed how we gather and interact. No one expected 2020 to be a year of Pandemic. We are grateful to you, our kind and generous community, and thankful you are safe and healthy. There are so many heroes to celebrate this year! As you all know by now our annual Crab Feed fundraiser has been postponed due to extended bans by Governor Newsom on large gatherings and "Shelter in Place" mandates. We remain optimistic and will continue to monitor for changes and share those changes with you as we become notified. 

We miss you all and can't wait to get together again and celebrate you--our Champions. But since we are all doing Zoom these days lets start gathering Virtually and start planning our 2020 Virtual Parade

We have started reaching out to last year's participants.  The feedback is enthusiastic. If you have questions on how to join the fun, help with fundraising and operations, community service credit or how you or your business can participate in the SC Virtual Parade of Champions and/or America's Heroes city wide contest celebrating our Front line heroes just sign up online or call or text Ana Vargas-Smith at 408-394-2473 or Mary Grizzle at 408 242-1851 

Our Mission: A Platform for doing Good

Since 1945, the SCPOC has brought Santa Clarans together to showcase their Champions from Sports, Civic and Business leaders, Culture and Arts, to Entertainment and now Tech. The entire city would gather in its Historic Downtown (founded in 1852) to celebrate their heritage, community spirit, and pride every year. It has been one of the longest-running unifying events in the history of Santa Clara. Lifelong Memories were made, and community bonds strengthened for generations to follow.

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Santa Clara Parade of Champions returns to its historic downtown center again, and the celebration continues with Custom Floats and Helium Balloons where Art meets Technology, School Marching Bands, Drill and Cheerleading teams, STEAM and Robotic Clubs, Little League Champs, Girl and Boy Scouts, Veterans and ROTC, Dance/Gymnastics Schools, Aquamaids, Olympians and the World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard. The list is long because Santa Clara historically has always attracted diversity—then and now. We are the center of Silicon Valley.

2021 Official Parade Route TBD

The Official Parade Route of the Santa Clara Parade of Champions will run through the beautiful  Old Quad neighborhood in our historic Santa Clara downtown district.
 

 The Grand Stand and VIP bleachers are traditionally located on  Monroe street.  Tickets for the VIP bleachers and reception are included with the sponsorships. See our variety of Sponsorship packages page for details. We have Early Bird Perks for 2021 Sponsors that will get you a guest spot in the SC Virtual Parade of Champions on October 10, 2020.   

2019 Grand Marshals

Brandi Chastain

Two Time FIFA World Cup Champion, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Coach and Broadcaster. In 2017 she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and in 2018 inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. She is a SCU Alumnus and has cofounded the Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative through which women athletes can bring health, hope and wholeness to the community.

Jerry Smith

Top 5 Ranking College Coach in NCAA Division 1 Women’s Soccer. Won NCAA once and has won 10 West Coast Conferences and Head Coach for Women’s Soccer for the last 32 years at the Oldest Operating University in the State of California—Santa Clara University. Go Broncos!

Carney Lansford

Deep roots in Santa Clara Youth and Wilcox High School Sports. Carney’s baseball career began with Briarwood Little League—he made it to the 1969 Little League World Series, winning it for the US, this year marks their 50th anniversary since the big win. He followed that up by being drafted by the California Angels and placing 3rd in Rookie of the Year balloting and followed that up by winning the American League Batting Championship in 1981 In the late 80’s he was a captain of the Oakland A’s and he helped lead the A’s to Three Consecutive World Series with them winning it all in 1989, this year making their 30th Anniversary. Through all of baseball he is one of a handful of players who has won a United States National Championship Little League and MLB World Series.

Paul Rosa

Wilcox Head Football Coach, Baseball Coach and Athletic Director. Paul has over 20 years in coaching baseball and football and has helped lead the Wilcox Chargers Baseball team to 5 Section Championship, including a team that finished #12 in the country. In 2015 Paul took over the Wilcox Football Program and in 4 years led them to the CIF State Football Championship! He is a lifetime Santa Clara Resident and played both baseball and football as a student at Wilcox. His love for community sports fueled his passion for baseball and football and led him to his coaching in Youth Sports for Briarwood Little League, Santa Clara Lions Football and now his alma mater Wilcox.

2019 Parade Sponsors