The Holiday Light Show in Coeur d'Alene, ID

For 30+ years the city of Coeur d'Alene has welcomed the Christmas season the day after Thanksgiving with a parade, carol singing, fireworks, and the lighting of all the downtown Christmas lights. The local newspaper has recently run interesting articles about the traditions, which you can read here and here.

Our children were still young when we moved to this area, so we attended these festivities almost every year. We've experienced nearly every possible kind of early winter weather: dry and mild, raining, foggy, snowing, and bitterly cold. Parking has become increasingly challenging as more people move to the area or come from neighboring towns and states to enjoy the fun. We've learned some strategies, and plan to walk about six blocks to the parade route.

Part of the local tradition includes an elaborate display of lighted figures around the boardwalk.

The figures include both secular and religious Christmas symbols, plus some wintry items and a few that have nothing to do with anything in particular. Following is a series of photos I took of some of these displays earlier this week.