The newly renamed Lake County Parade of Lights took place on Friday night, complete with a sighting of Santa Claus and the lighting of the Christmas tree in Polson.

In it’s sixteenth year, this year’s parade ushered in a changing of the guards with new organizers.

Barbara George was one of this year’s new organizers, along with Jackie Cripe of Jackie M’s Footwear.

“We’re glad it didn’t snow this year,” George said. “We’ve had the most floats entered that we’ve ever had.”

All told, at least 40 floats of all shapes and sizes rolled down Main Street on Friday evening, including a live nativity. A new feature of the event was the Art Walk, a chance for local businesses to open their doors both before and after the parade.

George said everyone was excited to be participating in the Parade of Lights.

“To see the look of anticipation on the kids’ faces,” George said, “That’s what it’s all about.”

Santa Claus was spotted smiling at the local kids as brown bag gifts were handed out.

George thought the parade was a success. She was grateful the Polson firefighters for installing the Christmas lights on the tree. George added that city officials donated the lights this year.

Many people helped pull it off this year, and George added the RSVP, a local senior volunteer group, made all the difference.

“We couldn’t have done it without them,” she said.

Earl Hanneman, the parade’s previous organizer, said it was good to see others take hold of the parades’ logistics after seven years.

Hanneman cites his teenage daughters Amber and Kisa getting older as a good reason to move on from lending a hand with the parade.

“It’s been fun watching them get excited about the parade,” he said, “But they’re helping out in different ways.”

Hanneman said the parade should always focus on the magic the parade gives children.

“It should always be about the kids,” he said.

Hanneman was glad to see the parade carry on this year, especially when the weather can wreak havoc to plans. Two years ago, the parade was cancelled due to extreme temperatures. It was a tough call, he said, but he felt it was needed. He consulted a local doctor who advised him that children would be in danger due to the frigid cold.

Hanneman credits the new leadership and cooperation of the city for the parade’s continuing endurance as a positive event.

“It’s not about who’s in the parade, but for the kids of Lake County,” he said. “It shouldn’t be politically motivated.”

Note: Earl Hanneman is an employee of the Lake County Leader, owned by the Hagadone Corporation, which provided the insurance coverage for this year’s parade.