For over 30 years, the annual Bend Community Christmas Parade has been a hallmark event of the holiday season. It is the largest Christmas Parade in Oregon and is eagerly anticipated by kids of all ages as one of the highlights of life in Bend.

The Bend Christmas Parade is organized and run by a volunteer group of dedicated citizens.

Until 1992, the Parade was planned and organized by Bend Parks and Recreation. After the 1991 event, Parks and Rec decided that they would no longer sponsor the parade. A number of Bend residents who recognized how important the Parade is in connecting and unifying our community assumed the responsibility for producing the Parade under the leadership of Mr. Ernie Gilpin.

Thus, the all-volunteer Bend Christmas Parade Committee has offered the Parade to the community for the past 29 years. With Mr. Gilpin’s passing in 2021, leadership of the Parade Committee passed to Michael Sipe, 10x Catalyst Groups and the non-profit Frontline Foundation.

The Committee remains composed of all volunteers whose responsibilities include organizing the entries, preparing entries for line-up, publicity, treasurer, working with the animal entries, judging, composing scripts for announcers, public safety, and acting as parade marshals. Some volunteers have been with the Committee since its inception.

This year, in honor of Mr. Gilpin, the co-Grand Marshals of the Parade will be Ernie's wife Gaye Gilpin, and his sons Scott and Jeff.