While steady rain pounded the area this week, better weather is expected for the downtown Christmas parade Friday in Los Banos.</p><p>The parade is presented by the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Coldwell Banker Kaljian & Associates. </p><p>It begins at 6 p.m. The theme is "It's a Wonderful Life."</p><p>The parade, now in its 27th incarnation, is something of an institution in Los Banos. Some onlookers begin to line Sixth Street two hours before the festivities.</p><p>The annual display draws about 1,000 revelers and averages more than 50 parade entries, including trailers, hot rods, horseback riders, charros and floats of all kinds. </p><p>City Council usually rides a vintage fire engine, and Santa Claus serves as the parade's caboose. Entrants are encouraged to incorporate lights and music in their offerings. </p><p>Announcers post up at the intersections of Sixth and J streets and Sixth and H streets. Each float gets an introduction and explanation.</p><p>Annually, the participants venture north up Sixth Street and end in Henry Miller Plaza, where winners are crowned and the Los Banos High School choir carols. </p><p>In the plaza, four entrants are picked to win an award by each one's namesake: the Mayor's Award, the Chamber President's Award, the Parade Sponsor Award and the Arts Council Award. </p><p>Some float builders started piecing together their entries as early as last month.</p><p>Also hosting parades are Atwater and Livingston. </p><p>Atwater's parade will start at 7 p.m. at Ralston Park, said Connie Hunter, Chamber of Commerce president.Livingston's parade will start at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Park and end downtown, said Jacquie Benoit, recreation superintendent.</p><p>With forecasts calling for clear skies, organizers expect good turnouts at all three events.</p><p>"We're jazzed about it being nice," Benoit said. "We have never in our 10 years had rain."</p><p>A high of 59 degrees and a low of 42 are forecast for Los Banos, with a 5 percent chance of precipitation.