Heck with Halloween: Here comes Christmas!
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 2 months AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | October 31, 2021 1:08 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas is back to normal in North Idaho.
The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association is going ahead with its 29th Annual Lighting Ceremony Parade on Nov. 26. It will be followed by The Coeur d’Alene Resort’s annual lighting ceremony.
Both were canceled last year due to the coronavirus.
Emily Boyd, executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, said there's already been a lot of excitement and inquiries about the popular parade that packs thousands of people on Sherman Avenue the day after Thanksgiving.
Marching bands, dancers, musicians, reindeer, snowmen and one Santa Claus are expected to be in the lineup.
Boyd said it’s wonderful to have the parade and the lighting ceremony back, as both get folks into the holiday spirit.
“It’s a great family event and it brings everyone together, which is so needed in our community,” Boyd said.
The association is accepting applications for the parade, sponsored by Idaho Central Credit Union, which attracts about 40 entries each year. The theme is Holiday Heroes and Festive Figures — “all those fun characters that people love,” Boyd said.
“Plan your parade entry around beloved characters such as heroes like Superman and Disney princesses, or traditional figures like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph,” the application form reads. “Use your creativity to dress up your group, decorate your vehicle or float and express your joy for the holidays.”
“The floats should be extra festive,” Boyd said.
Applications to participate in the parade will be accepted through Nov. 15. They should be submitted by mail to Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association, 105 N. 1st Street, Suite 100, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.
Boyd said organizers are following health guidelines in light of COVID, as recommended by health and government officials.
After the parade, the public is welcome to gather on The Coeur d’Alene Resort lawn for carols and a countdown to a spectacular fireworks display, compliments of the Hagadone Corporation. At the end of the show, the switch is flipped and over 1.5 million lights brighten the downtown area.
"I think that the lighting ceremony is one of the most magical days in Coeur d’Alene,” Boyd said.
Also during the holiday shopping season, Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association will bring back its popular Elf on a Shelf program Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The sponsor is STCU.
“Keep your eyes peeled for one of the dozens of Coeur d’Alene Scout Elves hiding throughout the downtown corridor and you could win prizes from Santa himself,” according to the association.
Live elves will also be making the rounds on Saturdays through downtown, handing out candy canes and posing with kids for pictures.
Each Saturday in December will include a different theme, with colorful characters like Elsa and Olaf in The Coeur d’Alene Resort Plaza Shops.
Together, it all adds up to a merry Christmas.
“It just creates a really fun holiday atmosphere,” Boyd said. “It adds to the magic.”
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
Coeur d'Alene fire department damages historic home before preservation committee review
Older home inadvertently used for fire department training before Historic Preservation Commission review
“Unfortunately, the property owner granted permission to the Fire Department to conduct their training activities prior to the review and even though the demolition permit had not been issued,” a fire department press release said. “The Fire Department was not aware of the demolition review meeting scheduled for the subject property.”
Police eye designs for new building
Captain says operations have been maintained since last year's fire
The new police building will have a sprinkler system, which its predecessor did not because when it was acquired in 2016, it wasn't required that it have a sprinkler system as it was predominately used for storage.
Corridor traffic project bumped up
Mild weather allows work to begin on Government Way
The project includes upgrading traffic signal components at 10 intersections, bringing pedestrian ramps into ADA compliance, and providing coordination between signals to improve traffic flow.