COEUR d'ALENE - Pouring rain, pelting sleet and frigid wind might have called for rain slickers and ponchos, but the weather couldn't drench the spirits of thousands who combated the elements Friday evening to enjoy the 28th annual Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show opening ceremony.

The sidewalks were awash in a sea of umbrellas as the rain steadily increased, causing parade-goers to hop or crane their necks to see the parade through their neighbors' canopies.

One little boy shouted, "Christmas is everywhere!" as he watched the beginning of the parade from his mom's shoulders while she gently sang "Jingle Bells" and searched for a dry spot to stand.

"It's a little chilly and it's a little wet," said Tre Higgins, 18, of Coeur d'Alene. "It's always been nicer than this, but oh well, it's still cool, even in the rain."

People stepped into Sherman Avenue and looked east in anticipation of the annual parade, the horns and drums of which could be heard blocks away. Leading the way were members of the Marine Corps League, young military personnel in training, Coeur d'Alene Police cars and festively decorated canines walking with their people.

Dozens of entries moved along the parade route - the Community Network Bookmobile joyfully sounded its horn for the crowd, the Snake Pit Derby Dames' giant inflated green-and-black roller skate stood on a float above everyone and the Lake City and Coeur d'Alene high school bands sloshed down the street while performing holiday favorites.

And of course, when jolly old St. Nicholas brought up the rear of the parade as usual, the crowds burst into cheers.

"I love it," said Shelby Johnson, 17, of Coeur d'Alene. Shelby and her North Idaho Thunder Volleyball teammates sold hot beverages to raise money for a competition in Denver in February.

"I've never been down to a lighting show," Shelby said. "I think it's really fun. I haven't seen it yet, so I'm excited to see what happens during it."

Following the parade, throngs of people made their way to The Resort lawn for some old-fashioned a cappella holiday music performed by The Resort Carolers. The four men looked stately and solid as wind and sleet threatened to send their top hats sailing from their heads. Needless to say, very few lit candles could be seen among the audiences when everyone joined together for the traditional "Silent Night" singalong.

Following the music from the carolers was what many people had waited all soggy night to witness - the fireworks.

"I'd like to welcome all of you to this year's somewhat blustery 28th annual Holiday in Lights Opening Ceremony," said Brad Hagadone, president of Hagadone Communications. "I appreciate you all being out here to weather the storm. We've got a great show tonight."

Hagadone said the 2014 holiday show was one of the biggest, with more than 1.5 million lights and 10 miles of cables and cords to illuminate more than 255 displays. The fireworks show included 1,200 shells to create about 10,000 dazzling pyrotechnic shows in the sky.

"Back in '86 when we first started with the ceremony, we had one fire truck with a ladder, about 100 lights and a few carolers," Hagadone said. "It should be a darn good show."

With a countdown by Hagadone Hospitality's chief executive chef and special guest Rod Jessick, the sky illuminated for a long-lasting fireworks show that was choreographed to Mannheim Steamroller's "Deck the Halls" and more. Purple, gold, red and green bursts brought smiles to the faces of onlookers, who could finally look into the sky as the rain had just ceased.

"I think they were great," said Josiah Wold of Coeur d'Alene. "I was here for the summer, for the Fourth of July, and they did at least the same or better than the Fourth of July fireworks. And it was nice, the rain stopped right when the fireworks got going so I think it worked out pretty well."

It was the first time Wold's friend, Courtney Gammill of Missoula, Mont., experienced the commencement of the Christmas season with the annual holiday light show ceremony.

"I thought it was really nice," she said. "Probably one of the best shows that I've seen live."