A Coeur d'Alene Christmas
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 5 months AGO
The Grinch looks out at the crowd during the 30th annual Lighting Ceremony Parade in downtown Coeur d'Alene on Friday.
BILL BULEY/Press
Veterans carry flags as they lead the 30th Annual Lighting Ceremony Parade on Friday.
Dancers with Alta Dance Academy perform during the 30th annual Lighting Ceremony Parade on Friday.
Fireworks fill the night sky over Lake Coeur d'Alene on Friday. The display followed the 35th annual Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Lighting Ceremony.
Sparky greets kids during the 30th annual Lighting Ceremony Parade on Friday.
Kyleen Claunts and Jingle dog walk on Sherman Avenue during the Lighting Ceremony Parade on Friday.
The crowd follows Santa Claus at the end of the Lighting Ceremony Parade on Friday.
Decorated trucks roll down Sherman Avenue during the Lighting Ceremony Parade on Friday.
Lake City High School cheerleaders join Friday's Christmas parade.
Kids with Classical Christian Academy robotics enjoyed being in the parade on Friday.
Mules pull the Prairie H2O wagon through Friday's parade.
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. | November 26, 2022 1:09 AM
COEUR d’ALENE — The 30th annual Lighting Ceremony Parade was full of highlights for Hazel Linton, but one entry stood out.
“My favorite part was when the Grinch went to jail,” the Coeur d’Alene youth said.
She was there with her aunt, Jasmine Linton, who enjoyed the parade.
“I think it gets better and better every year,” she said.
Despite a rainy, windy and cold night, thousands of children and adults lined downtown Sherman Avenue for the parade, and then made their way to the lawn of The Coeur d’Alene Resort for the 35th annual Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Lighting Ceremony that included a spectacular fireworks show.
“We get a lot of joy giving back to you guys,” said Hagadone Corp. CEO Brad Hagadone. “We have such a wonderful community we live in, you guys are such a big part of it, so give yourselves a hand.”
The parade's theme was Winter Wonderland. Presented by Idaho Central Credit Union, it featured veterans, dancers, bands, wagons, scores of decorated trucks and of course, Santa Claus.
Kyleen Claunts, wearing a red and green elf outfit, was joined by her dog, Jingle, aptly named for this celebration.
She was smiling as they trotted along, waving to the crowd.
“We love it,” she said.
The Grinch was a fan favorite. He was behind bars, courtesy of the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office.
“Lock him up, the Grinch is going to jail,” a voice said over the loudspeaker.
The Grinch shook his fist and kids howled with laughter.
Tracee Dahm of Hayden and her three children, Alexander, Evelyn and Orion, stuck it out to the end, despite the conditions.
"It was amazing, it was magical,” Tracee Dahm said. “It’s nice to see everybody braving the weather.”
The Blazen Divaz, a dance group, performed in honor of Julia Parmann, who founded the Divaz 13 years ago. She died earlier this year from a blood clot complication following a knee surgery.
Mary Lien and Sherri Learn said they were pretty much freezing during the parade, but gave it all they had for Parmann.
“Nothing was going to stop us,” they said.
Santa as usual was at the parade’s end and the crowd followed him to The Resort for the lights and fireworks.
Brad Hagadone said when they started the ceremony decades ago it consisted of a fire truck with lights on a ladder and the singing of carols.
“We’ve kicked it up a huge notch,” he said.
Between The Resort and the North Pole across Lake Coeur d’Alene, the Hagadone Corp. has more than 1.5 million Christmas lights and 250 displays.
The fireworks display was the biggest yet.
“I hope you guys all like the show,” Hagadone said, as the crowd applauded.
After the Resort Carolers led the singing of Silent Night, Capt. Carl Fus, general manager of Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises, took charge of the countdown.
“Who’s ready to get this Christmas party started?” he shouted.
The crowd roared.
“All right, let’s do this,” Fus yelled.
For the next several minutes, fireworks filled the sky. When it was over, applause and cheers followed.
It was well-deserved.
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