Despite chilly temperatures and sometimes drenching rain, Sweet Home’s 2021 Parade of Lights Saturday evening, Dec. 18, drew a large crowd of spectators and was a success, organizer Karla Hogan said.
“It went great, aside from the weather, obviously,” she said.
The parade included 26 floats, representing a wide swath of the community – businesses, the fire department, school groups, and more. It ran along Long Street from 22nd Avenue to Oak Terrace. It was emceed by Don Knight, who had to wing it a little after the rain saturated his notes.
The weather, Hogan said, contributed to a few casualties in the line-up as well – “It caused some of the entries to drop out at the last minute. It was very wet and soggy.”
“But all of the entries were fabulous. Everybody went all out. There were a lot of lights.”
“I was really happy with the turnout,” she said. “The sidewalks were full of people the entire night – all along the route.”
Spectators and other residents are encouraged to vote for their favorite entries online via the chamber’s website, sweethomechamber.com/parade.html. Deadline to vote is 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15.
Also, anyone inspired by the spectacle is encouraged to consider volunteering for next year’s event, which Hogan said she hopes to expand. Prospective volunteers can sign up on the chamber’s volunteer page, http://www.sweethomechamber.com/volunteer.html, or call the chamber at (541) 367-6186. (Note: The chamber will be closed Dec. 23, reopening Monday, Jan. 3.)
See more photos in our online gallery.