PHOTO COURTESY OF FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS COMMITTEE
Despite canceling the Festival of Lights this year, the volunteer committee announced today that the lighted parade will be held.
The committee announced in October that a lack of a non-profit status and a shortage of volunteers made it impossible to put the festival on this year. Committee member Karen Hutchinson-Talaski, however, said today that the annual parade that traditionally kicks off the festival will still go on.
“Organizer Spike Piersol said that he has had so many people contacting him about the parade that the committee decided it would still be a great way to kick off the holiday season,” Talaski said.
The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. The parade will start at Newport Park, behind Eastside Market, and continue down Main Street, cross Highway 395 and wind up at the Umatilla County Fairgrounds.
Anyone interested in participating in the parade should call Piersol at 541-571-5065. Parade lineup begins at 5:30 p.m. at Newport Park, between Newport Avenue and Sixth Street.
“We are very excited to continue the lighted parade, despite not being able to pull off the Festival of Lights this year,” Talaski said. “It’s the highlight of the holiday season and is a lot of fun, too!”
