Coming into Ronan on Round Butte at about 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 19, a line of lights sparkled behind St. Luke Hospital as floats lined up for Ronan’s Parade of Lights. Although the thermometer said 36, it seemed much colder, but hardy Ronanians gathered to watch friends and neighbors brighten up the dark night.

Every kid was poised with a bag to collect candy and lots of Santa hats and reindeer antlers adorned the crowd, in addition to warm hats and down coats. 

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus were at the head of the line. The parade also included 4x4 club vehicles decked out in lights and some blow-up figures, girls on horses, a team pulling a wagon, a tractor wrapped in sparkling bulbs, floats built by local businesses, a nativity scene from the Calvary Baptist Church in Polson, and the Mission Valley FFA kids with Mrs. Montana on their float. 

Valley Banks encouraged parade watchers to “Surf On In,” which made people shiver and laugh. The Ronan Fire Department and the Rural Fire Department trucks were there, along with Mission Valley Search and Rescue and the Lake County Sheriff.

In front of the Pearl Theatre, now home to the Western Montana Musicians Co-op, two youngsters, Cecily and Vera, compared candy bags. Vera’s was topped by a stuffed toy owl her dad won for her in the bowling alley. She had been to the Polson Parade of Lights too and, after much consideration, said she thought Polson’s was colder, but not by much.

The Pearl Theatre was offering live music, hot coffee, and cookies, a great post-parade treat. Then most of the crowd drifted up to the Ronan Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center for a bonfire and the annual Holiday Treasures drawing at 7 p.m. 

    The local side-by-side club came decked out in holiday finery for the Ronan Parade of Lights. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus swapped their reindeer for a pickup to pull their sleigh at the Ronan Parade of Lights. They're resting their reindeer for the big day. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)