Every year in December the streets ofAuburnare packed with people ready to partake in the annual Festival of Lights Parade. This year, spectators will be able to watch as floats and other participants express the parade’s theme, “The Light in a Child’s Eye”.
Whether as an entry or a viewer, everybody can participate in the parade. The first 100 entrants are accepted and all that is required is a small entrance fee, which varies depending on the size of the entrant’s ensemble. This fee covers costs for advertisements, signage, and port-a-potties.
This parade draws people in from acrossAuburn, and for some, watching the parade is a holiday tradition.
“It’s fun and you get candy,” said freshman Cadence McKibben, who has attended the parade in years past.
“I participate every year. I just like how the whole community comes together to celebrate,” said junior Jennifer Fisk.
Certain Placer students, like those in the FFA, participate as an entry in the parade.
“We decorate a float that we combine withEchoValley. We also dress up and try to promote agriculture,” said Fisk, FFA secretary.
Every entry in the parade is required to be lit and must express the parade’s theme. This means that participants such as those in the FFA must put in extra work to ensure that their float is up to parade standards.
“We do lots of preplanning so everything is ready on the day of the parade. We try to get everyone involved to bring stuff and be on time dressed in their FFA jackets, which is our uniform,” said Fisk.
FFA is not alone in representing Placer students at the parade. Placer’s very own Golden Hillmen marching band will also be partaking in the festivities.
“We will be marching in formation and playing a song,” said McKibben, Golden Hillmen band member.
Spectators of the parade will also be able to witness floats created by the local fire department and otherAuburnbusinesses and organizations. The parade wraps up with the traditional Santa’s sleigh float.
“I participated in the parade for the Boys and Girls Club a few years ago,” said sophomore Mason Sage.
The Festival of Lights parade was scheduled for December 1st at 5:30 p.m. However, due to forecasted rain the parade will now be taking place on December 8th. The parade will begin atCherry Ave. in downtownAuburn and end at the Auburn Fairgrounds.
“The parade was the best thing I was ever involved in,” said freshman Savin Cordell.