Illuminated parades twinkle through Polson and Mission
Live Oak Belgians brought up the rear of the St. Ignatius Parade of Lights on Saturday. (Christa Umphrey)
Santa made an an unconventional appearance at Polson's Parade of Lights last Friday. (Kristi Niemeyer/Lake County Leader)
Ralphie, attired in his pink bunny costume, was part of Cherry Valley Elementary's Make Your Christmas Story Great float, named Best of Parade in Polson's Parade of Lights. (Kristi Niemeyer/Lake County Leader)
Chris & Erin Schock's VW bug got the nod from judges for Best Use of Lights at last Friday's Parade of Lights in Polson. (Kristi Niemeyer/Lake County Leader)
Eagle Bank's float won the Most Creative category in Polson's Parade of Lights, sponsored by the Polson Business Community. Also among this year's winners was Alpine Designs for Most Humorous. (Kristi Niemeyer/Lake County Leader)
Rudolph waves during the Polson Parade of Lights. (Kristi Niemeyer/Lake County Leader)
Santa's helper waits for the Parade of Lights to get underway in St. Ignatius Saturday night. (Photo by Christa Umphrey)
A wagon load of carolers warmed the chilly night for the St. Ignatius Parade of Lights. (Christa Umphrey)
Frigid temperatures failed to daunt parade goers in Polson and St. Ignatius last weekend.
Polson Parade of Lights draws 31 entries
The Polson Parade of Lights rolled down Main Street Saturday evening, dazzling onlookers along the way with an inventive array of floats. Shawneen Turner and Joslyn Shackelford, who organize the parade for the Polson Business Community, say there were 31 entries this year.
“We were blown away by how impressive the floats were and all the time and effort that was put in, but we seem to say this every year and then the next year they just seem to get more impressive and creative,” said Turner.
The winners were: Cherry Valley Elementary School, which claimed Best of Parade for the second year in a row; Eagle Bank, Most Creative; Alpine Designs, Most Humorous; and Chris and Erin Schock, Best Use of Lights.
All winners receive a trophy and Chamber Bucks to spend at local businesses.
“Our goal every year is to bring a little holiday cheer to our small town by putting on a fun, safe, family friendly event,” says Turner. “I think we were able to achieve that again this year thanks to our volunteers and our community!”
St. Ignatius hosts carnival and parade
The St. Ignatius Parade of Lights put the finishing touch to a day of holiday cheer, beginning with the annual Christmas Carnival at the high school, followed by the lighting of the community tree.
This year’s parade had at least 11 vehicles and floats, says organizer Darren Orr. “I can’t say enough about how amazing it was to see the streets filled with people, and people outside their homes and pulled over on the side of the roads through the whole route,” he says.
He especially appreciated seeing residents of the Pines of Mission assisted living center watching floats go by from their windows.
The festivities are organized by the Chamber of Commerce. “We do this for the community and we are so thrilled to see so many people this year partake in the events,” Orr said.
