KANAB – Hundreds of people celebrated the start of the holiday season in Kanab Saturday night at the 8th annual “Christmas Light Parade.”
The light parade is a whimsical welcome to Christmas which features several parade floats brilliantly lit up and decorated to reflect a theme. This year’s parade theme was “Welcome Home for Christmas.”
Families and friends gathered in Kanab for the annual event that ushers in the magic of the season. Kanab’s Main Street was lined with heaters and a booth was set up to dole out free hot chocolate while Christmas music was sung live on the corner of Main and Center streets. The music as well as the parade emcee were broadcast on a radio station for people who sought the warmth of their car on a chilly but calm evening.
As the parade started all eyes went to the streets as delightful floats featuring scenes of Christmas rolled through town aglow.
While this year’s parade brought out a large crowd of both local residents and Thanksgiving holiday travelers, Chef Shon Foster of Kanab’s Sego Restaurant said the parade is something that has grown over time to become the endearing tradition it is today.
“I can remember the first one where there was like maybe three vehicles that were somewhat decorated quite a few years ago,” Foster said.
Now, Foster said, most of the major Kanab businesses put together a parade float.
Foster was attending the parade in partnership with Sego Restaurant and Kanab City for “S’more School” which provided guests the opportunity to cook gourmet s’mores that Foster created.
Selections for Saturday evening included the “Welcome Home,” the “Holiday Bliss” and the “Christmas Orange.” Each s’more was made with homemade, flavored marshmallows and unique ingredients like Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups and Lindt candied orange and dark chocolate chocolates.
“(It’s) definitely a good family event,” Foster said of the parade. “It brings in kind of the holiday cheer and makes it a lot of fun for everybody.”
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Frosty the Snowman waves goodbye to onlookers at the close of the Kanab Christmas Light Parade, Kanab, Utah, Nov. 26, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Revelers stay warm by a heater before the Kanab Christmas Light Parade, Kanab, Utah, Nov. 26, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Parade participants and their furry friends represent Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the Kanab Christmas Light Parade, Kanab, Utah, Nov. 26, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Santa Claus and some of his helpers ride through Kanab on a bright sleigh during the Kanab Christmas Light Parade, Kanab, Utah, Nov. 26, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A giant shopping cart and other over-the-top elements help this parade entry shine in the Kanab Christmas Light Parade, Kanab, Utah, Nov. 26, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A frosty float pays tribute to Disney's "Frozen" during the Kanab Christmas Light Parade, Kanab, Utah, Nov. 26, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Hundreds of people gather to watch the Kanab Christmas Light Parade, Kanab, Utah, Nov. 26, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Floats adorned in Christmas lights roll down Kanab's Center Street during the Christmas Light Parade, Kanab, Utah, Nov. 26, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
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This is a great way to spend time with friends and loved ones and I would like to thank all those involved in making this possible