COEUR d'ALENE - Many in the Coeur d'Alene community joined together Friday night celebrating as family and friends, with plenty of holiday lights, music and fireworks.

Thousands of people crowded the sidewalks of Sherman Avenue as the annual Coeur d'Alene holiday parade rolled through the heart of the city.

Douglas Seiner, of Coeur d'Alene, was parade-side, basking in the holiday spirit and glow, feeling blessed, he said. He never misses the event.

"I love everything about it," he said. "I love the colors, the lights, the people, the people of North Idaho."

The Lake City and Coeur d'Alene high school marching bands and their thumping drum rhythms inspired youngsters and made parents proud. Some moonshining Shriners gave people a good laugh. Carolers, dancers, snowmen, and some people in Christmas-themed costumes put everyone in the holiday spirit.

Barb Wellman, of Cataldo, was at the parade with her son, Tristen, and daughter Cheyenne, standing out in front of Zip's drive-in restaurant on Sherman. They watch the parade from the same vantage every year, eager to be near its high-energy starting point.

"Being out, all the people around, just watching the parade - it's a happy time," Barb Wellman said.

With temperatures in the low 40s at parade time, and rain coming down, friends and family members huddled together, sometimes under umbrellas, and took in the joyous atmosphere, festive lights and music.

Bryan Nielsen and his wife, Carol, of Coeur d'Alene, were watching their daughter, Rebecca, play the flute for Lake City High School.

"We come here every year to watch the band," he said. "We don't miss it now."

Carol said, "It's nice to see people come out and have some small-town atmosphere."

As she is every year, Andrea Lowry, of Coeur d'Alene, was taking in the parade and fireworks. She was out with her husband, Shawn, and their son, Justin, 2.

"We like the lights, the music, the family-oriented atmosphere - and Santa," she said.

After the parade, many headed down to The Coeur d'Alene Resort lawn to sing songs, wave candles and watch the fireworks show, where more than 1,400 shells and 3,000 shots were ignited during an explosive 8-minute display.

Finally, after a switch was flipped, 1.5 million decorative holiday lights were set ablaze.

Event organizers estimated that 30,000 people flock to the parade, firework and light show each year.

Seiner said the atmosphere, with all the youngsters out with their families and Santa Claus appearing for the first time this year, brings back memories of his own childhood.

Fittingly, the event's theme this year was "Traditions of Christmas."

"I love the lighting of the town at the end of the parade, and fireworks afterward - they're just thrilling," he said.