Christmas, Coeur d'Alene-style

BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO

Tammy Wasson waves to the crowd during Friday's Christmas parade in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
BILL BULEY/Press

Members of Alta Dance Academy perform during the parade Friday.

The North Idaho Sparklers make their way down Sherman Avenue during the Christmas parade Friday.

Fireworks fill the sky over Lake Coeur d'Alene on Friday.

Lilo Rucker joined by Brooke smiles during the parade on Friday in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

A member of the Lake City High School band smiles during the parade.

Paisley the Potato high fives a toddler during the Christmas parade on Sherman Avenue on Friday.

Santa waves to the crowd.

The Hagadone Marine Candy Co. lights up the Christmas parade.

Carol Cook and her canine Maggie greet the crowd.

Lake City High School cheerleaders enjoy the parade.

People watch the Christmas parade on Friday in Coeur d'Alene.

Tammy Wasson was the “self-appointed queen of the Eagles” for the Christmas parade in downtown Coeur d’Alene on Friday.

She lived up to the billing, waving and smiling with spirit as she passed by the Eagles Lodge on Sherman Avenue as the crowd roared.

"This is the best,” said the fourth-generation Idahoan. “A bucket list dream come true.”

A crowd estimated at more than 30,000 attended The Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association's 33rd annual parade and The Coeur d’Alene Resort's 38th annual lighting ceremony.

On a perfect night for a parade and fireworks with clear skies and about 35 degrees, adults and kids lined Sherman Avenue five-people deep at times and gave a warm welcome to Santa Claus, the North Idaho Sparklers, the Lake City High School band and cheerleaders, friendly canines, and a long line of lighted, decorated trucks in the one-hour parade themed, "Candy Cane Lane.”

People arrived early to claim prime viewpoints on Sherman Avenue.

Leah Smith of Coeur d’Alene set up chairs at Second and Sherman by 1 p.m., four hours before the parade was slated to begin.

“I want to make sure my grandkids have a good spot,” she said.

Smith loves the parade, the lights and the fireworks. Everything about the evening is magical. “It's a wonderful event,” she said. “It’s totally family friendly.”

Tim McNamara and Lena Blenker with Toys for Tots happily tossed candy to kids along the half-mile parade route.

“I'm loving it,” McNamara said.

Blenker said the delight of the children makes it special

"The kids are so happy when we go by,” she said.

A cheery Mary Reed from Montana donned a reindeer outfit as she joined family in the parade.

“This is wonderful,” she said.

The parade was followed by The Resort’s annual lighting ceremony that in its first year nearly four decades ago was a firetruck with 100 lights.

Today, between The Resort and the North Pole across Lake Coeur d’Alene, it features more than 1.5 million lights, about 250 displays, powered by nearly 6 miles of cords and cables. The setup begins Oct. 1 and requires 8,000 hours of manpower.

Brad Hagadone, Hagadone Corp. president, said they couldn’t be prouder of their family of Hagadone companies and employees that work hard for a great community that supports them.

“It gives us a lot of joy to put on a show annually for you guys,” he said.

“We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and cheers to a bright new year,” he said as the crowd applauded.

Judd Jones, president of Hagadone Technologies and Hagadone Corp.'s chief information officer, led the traditional countdown from 10 to the fireworks.

“Are you guys ready to rock?” he shouted.

"Yes," the crowded shouted back.

For about 10 minutes, colorful explosions filled the sky over Lake Coeur d'Alene and when it ended, the crowd stayed around and cheered.

Nat Gallagher, who walked in the parade with the Girl Scouts, summed things up with three words:

“This is beautiful."