Festival of Lights Parade Kicks Off Salem Traditions

The Festival of Lights spirit will begin with the Tree Lighting in River Front Park and then the excitement continues for the Festival of Lights Parade.

The parade begins at 6:30 PM Saturday in downtown Salem.

(SALEM) - Saturday’s Festival of Lights Parade, the largest lighted parade west of the Mississippi, has been enjoyed in Salem since 1989. The once-a-year experience of beautiful twinkling lights, creative floats, and many parade personalities is a tradition for Salem area families. In 1998 Portland General Electric became the title sponsor for the parade and each year the parade seems to be getting bigger and better.

The annual event will begin by the lighting of the Christmas tree at River Front Park at 5 PM this Saturday, December 9th, followed by the parade, which starts at 6:30 PM. Salemites, friends and families can now enjoy the two big holiday events on the same night. This will be a fun night showcasing many beautiful floats, live music, individual participations and representation of Salem area schools’ marching bands to set the pace as we all march on into the holiday season. The theme for this year’s parade is “Winter Jubilee.” Downtown Salem streets have been marked for closure all week in preparation. As with prior parades, people will begin lining up early to claim their viewing places not only on the streets, but on the walkovers between malls and securing their favorite table at restaurants on the parade’s route.

Capital Community Television (CCTV) will covering of the parade LIVE on Comcast Cable channel 22 beginning at 6:30, for those that can’t get out to the parade themselves. UHF Channel 52 (viewed via any aerial antenna) will also air the parade complete with greetings from Oregon Guardsman serving in Afghanistan, on Christmas Day. Specific schedule to be announced.

For further information about these events and the parade route, please follow this link: www.folholidayparade.org

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The only day of the year where downtown is actually alive.

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