Tonight may be the last time Judy Williams strolls along Washington Street with the Redwood Elementary Christmas parade float, but it won’t be the end of the school’s eight-year winning streak, she hopes.

Williams, the school’s theme coordinator, plans to retire after this school year, leaving behind the spark that has kept the school on top during the annual Christmas parade. Tonight’s parade, at 5, will include 65 lighted floats.

&#8220They’re going to keep the Redwood tradition alive,” she said. &#8220Even though I’m retiring, I hope they’ll continue to win every year – or at least participate.”

Most Original, Best Overall, Best School – these are the superlatives that are engraved on the eight trophies that fill a case at the school. Since Williams arrived at Redwood about 12 years ago, she said it was her goal to have the school participate in the parade. She had helped with the Beechwood Elementary float previously.

&#8220Beechwood always had a great float. When I came here, it was a let down that (Redwood) didn’t have a float,” she said. &#8220Now, we shoot for the best every year.”

This year, the categories are Best in Show, Best Business, Best Nonprofit and Most Original. Winners will be announced after the parade.

Part of what keeps Redwood No. 1 for Williams is loving the competition. But it is mostly about seeing the 75 to 80 participants come together to make each float a roaring success.

&#8220I love it,” Williams said. &#8220It’s the most wonderful thing Vicksburg does at Christmas time.”

Since Monday, teachers, students, parents and grandparents have been working to put all of the elements together for tonight. In keeping with the theme One Enchanted Evening, Williams said Redwood’s float will have scenes from &#8220Cinderella.”

&#8220We wanted to do different scenes to represent the whole movie,” she said.

As the float rolls the parade route, music, such as the &#8220Cinderella” classic, &#8220Bippity, Boppity Boo, and the more contemporary &#8220Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” will ring out.

&#8220I just love the music,” Williams said. &#8220I tried to pick a song the crowd could really get into.”

Being a winner is about doing something different from the other floats and having great music, she said.

&#8220We try to stretch it as far as we can,” she said.

Williams said, after this year, she may put her float-making and parade-directing skills to use with her church, First Baptist, where she assisted this year. And, she will always be available to help Redwood.

&#8220I want to leave all my stuff, so that the things that make us wonderful will keep going,” she said.