Gayle Williams, organizer of the Katy Independent School District FFA parade, called the Feb. 27 parade "the best we've ever had." She said the crowds along the route were "awesome." She said the good weather on Saturday was a definite help.

All the ingredients for a successful parade were present Saturday — good weather, musicians, floats, riders on horseback — and one on donkey — young dancers and a good crowd along the route.

The two-hour procession began near Rhodes Stadium, went south on Katyland Boulevard to Highway Boulevard before concluding at Katy High School.

"We had an awesome crowd all the way along the route," Williams said. She added that the good weather was a definite plus.

The winners by category are:

Cowboy & Cowgirls: 1. Monica Cerda, 2. Coursey Family and 3. 4B Ranch

Civic: 1. Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and 2. American Clean-up

Scouts: 1. YMCA Adventure Guides, 2. Girls Scouts Troop 17009 and 3. Daisy Troop 17470

Adult General: 1. Katy Go Texas and 2. MKT

Youth General: 1. Grand Cheer, 2. Halter Inc. and 3. 4-H Club

Commercial: 1. West Engineering Service, 2. Enterprice BK and 3. Memorial Hermann

Antique Car & Equipment: 1. Brookside Equipment and 2. Houston Chevelle Club

School Organizations: 1. Wolfe Elementary Star Dancers, 2.The Arc of Katy and 3. Katy Jr. High Cheerleaders

Churches: 1. Katy First Baptist Church, 2. Bridge Church and 3. Katy Community Fellowship

Les and Cynthia Haas, who were initial members of the Katy Independent School District FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo Committee, served as parade marshals.

The honorary parade marshal was Willie Deluna, who retired in December as custodian of Katy High School. Williams said he always went out of his way to help with the annual show at the nearby L.D. Robinson Pavilion.