Parade heralds start of holiday season

Published 11:58 am Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Everybody loves a parade in Seaside. Rain or shine. The rain took a short breather Friday night for the city’s annual Parade of Lights.

Michelle Barsness of Seattle said she and her family had come to watch the Thanksgiving storm and thought the parade would be “a fun addition” to their vacation.

They were among the thousands who lined Broadway for the event.

T.J. and Cheryl Jeffery came to the parade to Seaside from their home in Bellingham, Washington, “just for the joy of it,” they said. T.J. has been coming to the parade for almost 20 years, and Cheryl even longer.

For locals, it’s a chance to come out and catch up with old friends.

“Usually in the winter, I’ve been hibernating,” City Councilor Seth Morrisey said, accompanied by family members. “I’m looking for some excitement.”

Seaside’s Amy and Clay Baughman brought their daughter Brooklyn to her first parade. She was among those waiting for a visit with Santa.

Kathy Lugibihl of Gearhart said she hadn’t been to the parade in years. “I used to come, then my kids grew up,” Lugibihl said. “Then they left home and they came back, and we’re here tonight.”

Seaside’s Mark Brooks carried Bronson Brooks on his shoulders, the youngster celebrating his first parade.

Seaside resident and chamber ambassador Cynthia Miner was among those giving out cookies, hot cider and cocoa for guests to enjoy. The weather, on the cusp of a downpour, didn’t faze her a bit. “We’re excited,” she said. “This is what we’re used to.”

Seaside’s Visitor Information Specialist Ken Heman manned the loudspeaker in front of the holiday tree. “It actually stops raining just before the parade, and starts raining after,” Heman said. “You can tell who the true Oregonians because they are standing in the rain with no umbrellas.”

Lo and behold, shortly after 7, the rain paused and the parade kicked off from First Avenue on Necanicum Drive.

In the lead were students from Seaside schools, wearing the Gulls’ red and white and celebrating the passage of the bond to move schools out of the tsunami zone.

The procession stretched down Broadway, past Finn’s, Zingers, Sharky’s and around the bend.

Honking horns from Seaside Fire and Rescue heralded the convoy to follow, including the big trucks of the Clatsop County Sons of Beaches. Thomas the Train, Snoopy and more cartoon favorites drew cheers, along with trucks from Pacific Power, FedEx and local businesses — about 30 in all. Miss Oregon Alexis Mather greeted the crowd, accompanied by local Miss Oregon scholarship program contestants. An ornate rendition of Santa’s Workshop was followed by a manger scene presented by Seaside’s River of Life Fellowship.

Seaside’s Michelle Hughes marched in Seahawks’ football fanwear with family members from Kennewick, Washington, to cheer on their favorite team. “They’re going to go to the Super Bowl, of course!” Hughes laughed.

As the parade turned down Downing and the last floats moved through the crowd, onlookers gathered for the tree-lighting and carols. Voices rang out, singing holiday favorites including “White Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Here Comes Santa Claus.”

Who were the luckiest kids at the parade?

Leilani, Leila and Keoni Durham were first in line for Santa Claus, accompanied by their parents, Mona and Brian Durham of Warrenton. Leila was looking forward to a new bed comforter and Keoni was poised to ask Santa for a toy train.

Sandy McDowall of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce estimated the parade drew about 2,000-3,000 people from “all over.”

“I love the holidays in Seaside,” McDowall said, joining the chamber ambassadors serving cider and cocoa.

“There’s nothing like a little bit of ‘sunshine,” chamber President Brian Owen added.

The rain did hold through the entire length of the parade. And by its end, the holiday lights shined bright on Broadway.