PUBLISHED ON December 3, 2007
Yakima Herald-Republic
Section: Main/Home Front
By ROSS COURTNEY YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC
It did not rain or snow or even get that cold Sunday evening during the Holiday Light Parade. But it wouldn't have changed anything for David King and Martha Caswell of Yakima. They watched the whole procession from a cozy window booth at the Sports Center, the lights of the restaurant's indoor Christmas tree competing for their attention with those adorning the 37 floats that made their way down Yakima Avenue in the eighth annual parade.
"It's still pretty," Caswell said.
Just outside, parade watchers carried rain coats and umbrellas, but they didn't need them. The wet weekend weather left the light procession alone, giving the parade a respite between heavy rain earlier in the day and more in today's forecast. In fact, most figured this year's weather was better than that of last year, when bitter cold kept the crowds smaller. Organizers estimated about 3,500 people lined the streets of downtown Yakima to watch this year's parade.
The event featured one float full of Feists; 15 members of the Feist family of Moxee built a float consisting of a sleigh on a trailer, dressed as elves and walked along with it. They weren't plugging a business or advocating for a cause. They just did it for fun.
"We have a big family. We just decided get together and get in the parade," Jason Feist said.
Edith and Ronnie Walsey of Wapato arrived about an hour-and-a-half early with their grandchildren and daughter-in-law to pick out a parking spot just off Yakima Avenue. They watched the parade from the hood of their car. Cody and Chrystal Holman stood on the sidewalk with their 6-year-old niece, Qeyanna Holman, happy is wasn't raining. Earlier in the day, rains made Cody Holman's window painting job difficult and uncomfortable. He almost didn't come. Other people started the day with the same misgivings.
"I've been a little skeptical since Friday," said Randy Kline, a volunteer with Ahtanum Pioneer Church serving coffee and hot chocolate for donations on Yakima Avenue. But he said church members come every year and would have come regardless of the weather."We just pray that God would take care of us," he said. "If he can part the sea, he can part the clouds."
Here are the results of the parade judging:
Yakima Transit, Best Corporate; Feist Family, Best Small Group; City of Yakima Parks and
Recreation, Most Original; G.S. Long Co., Most Outstanding Use of Lights; Nick Halvorson
Collections, Kid's Choice; Capitol Theatre, Mayor's Choice; Coca-Cola, Committee Favorite.
* Ross Courtney can be reached at 837-1462 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.
