Let there be Lights

For many, the Christmas season begins only after hearing Bing Crosby crooning the familiar lyrics, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas.”

Yet if you are from La Pine and surrounding areas, the true kickoff to the holiday season is the Christmas Light Parade. Always the first Saturday in December, this year’s parade falls on Dec. 6.

Now in its 20th year, the La Pine Christmas light parade is as symbolic to the holiday season as the Frontier Days are to the Fourth of July. Originally a light parade specifically for logging trucks from as far away as Christmas Valley and Lakeview, the parade was the brainchild of Linda Stephenson, who came up with the idea after watching a similar event with her husband in John Day about 21 years ago.

“The Truckers’ Light Parade was to celebrate the logging industry right here in C.O.,”said Stephenson, owner of L&S Gardens. “The first year we had about 20 hay and logging trucks. What a sight to see.”

Over the years, the entries became more elaborate, and grew to include as many as 40 participants. Once the logging industry began to decline, entries adapted to include just about anything that had wheels. Entries included ATVs, cars, motorcycles, garbage trucks, semis, hay trucks, lawn mowers, and RVs. Non-wheeled, unique entrants have included sled dogs, bicycles, people — and “Eddy,” a creeping, spider-like space alien creature that parade watchers have come to expect. Spoiler alert: Officials say he will make an appearance this year.

Everyone (or thing) is welcome to enter, with one prerequisite: The participant must have lights — lots of them.

“Entries take a long time to decorate,” said Ann Gawith, executive director of the La Pine Chamber of Commerce, the organization that now manages the parade. “It’s a commitment of time and manpower. But we have no problem getting sponsors, volunteers or entrants.”

The entry with the most lights wins bragging rights, though there are six size categories that are judged for most lights, loudest and longest. The winners receive a trophy (that lights up of course).

The twinkling, glowing, flashing lights that decorate the vehicles are run by generators, which tend to make the event a bit loud.

Easy access to the parade route gives everyone front row seats, the start of the parade at Memorial Lane and Huntington Road is the best place to see as well as hear the business or organization that is entering. The parade follows the same route as Frontier Days and ends at the Holiday Bazaar at the La Pine Event Center on First Street. Parade attendees can warm up, enjoy Christmas goodies, watch the trophy presentation and start their holiday shopping with handmade, locally made gifts.

Santa completes the long line of brilliantly lit entrants and vehicles. Gawith says the parade committee randomly chooses the rig that will carry Santa so a different participant receives the honor of carrying the jolly fellow each year.

“Our friends, neighbors and community members look forward to getting together to line up along the parade route,” said Stephenson. “It is a true community event.”

Imagine Bing Crosby singing, “May your days be merry and bright. And may all your Christmases be light” — and mark your calendar for the La Pine Christmas Light Parade.