With Christmas just around the corner and New Year’s less than two weeks away, it’s not a stretch to think that many folks in town are starting to think about upcoming celebrations and gatherings with family and friends.
For the second straight year, the Philomath Parade of Lights will try to do its part to spread a little extra holiday cheer around the community and give locals a head start on one of the most enjoyable times of year.
Live Nativity scene to be featured at Philomath City Park
A live Nativity scene will be available for viewing Saturday night following the Philomath Parade of Lights, co-organizer Lori Haslam said. The event will run from 8-9 p.m. in the gazebo area of Philomath City Park. Folks can drive by and see from their vehicles or park and walk up for a closer look. The…
The parade is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Philomath High School parking lot, head west on Applegate Street, turn south on South 15th Street and then conclude after heading west on Cedar Street.
“We didn’t know what to expect the first year and we were pleasantly surprised with the amount of participation,” Philomath City Manager and parade organizer Chris Workman said. “We had a number of floats and a number of people that came out … so that was kind of setting the standard.”
The Philomath Parade of Lights originated out of a suggestion by former police chief Ken Rueben. The city had been interested in putting something on for the community during the holiday season, so when the lights parade in Corvallis never returned after 2019, the possibility of having one became an interesting possibility.
“It’s about building community and we try to make it not too Christmassy or too much one denomination over another,” Workman said. “It’s really just a Parade of Lights and not religious-affiliated in any way. Obviously there’s Christmas lights but there are also floodlights and disco lights and every other type of light you can think of. It really is about a community celebration. Everybody’s welcome.”
Last year’s inaugural parade fell on Dec. 16 and this one is a little later with the event taking place just four days before Christmas. Organizers didn’t want the Philomath event to conflict with a Monroe parade that was scheduled for Dec. 14.
“It’s the weekend before but it felt like people should be around and they’re going to be looking for something Christmassy or something to do while getting together for the holidays,” Workman said about the thinking that went into the date. “The Saturday was intentional because we didn’t want it to be a weeknight and when you’ve only got two or three weekends leading up to before the holidays, there’s not a lot to choose from.”
The parade will have a slightly different route this year. Instead of beginning on South 19th Street near Clemens Primary School, the parade will follow a route down Applegate Street from PHS to South 15th to Cedar Street. Floats will then either disperse at Skirvin Park or on South 13th.
With the route change, floats will face Applegate Street.
“Folks will check in now at the middle school entrance on Chapel Drive … and go on up the fire lane up to the parking lot at the high school and that’s where we’ll actually start from,” Workman said. “We’ve got a long queuing area, plenty of space.”
Mayor Chas Jones will select the recipient of the parade’s “Most Lit Float Award” — an honor that last year went to Shonnard’s. The winner will receive a gift certificate and as Workman points out, “bragging rights.”
For this year’s event, parade organizers are requiring preregistration (up until 4 p.m. Saturday).
“We’ve got a little bit better of an idea of what we’re looking like,” Workman said in reference to float entries, which he said numbered close to 60 as of Thursday afternoon.
“It does look like the weather’s going to be a little bit wet,” Workman said, adding that the parade will happen in all weather conditions. “So we’ll be out there with umbrellas and coverings and just having a good time.”
The registration cost is $15 for the first vehicle and $5 for additional vehicles. Horse entries are $15. Register online at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo website. Organizers ask participants to take note that Santa will lead the parade and no other live Santas on any other floats will be allowed.
