Holiday light show ready to ignite
COEUR d'ALENE - The 2013 Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show is poised to explode over Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Friday's fireworks show, presented by Duane and Lola Hagadone and their family, is expected to be one of the grandest displays yet.
"The fireworks are a personal gift from the Hagadone family to our community," said Jerry Jaeger, president and co-owner of the Hagadone Hospitality Co. and this year's master of ceremonies. "I can tell you the show is going to be exceptional this year."
The 2013 Holiday Light Show opening ceremony begins Friday at 5 p.m. with a downtown parade sponsored by Old World Christmas along Sherman Avenue. By 6 p.m., crowds gather along the lakefront to sing Christmas carols and light candles. More than 30,000 spectators are expected.
The guest of honor, Jason Jaeger, director of sales and marketing at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, will lead the crowd in counting down to set off the fireworks above Lake Coeur d'Alene.
Immediately after the 1,200-shell extravaganza, more than 1.5 million lights will blink on.
"Jason has been practicing his countdown," joked his dad, Jerry Jaeger. "But he is going to need help getting all the way to zero."
Jason Jaeger, also known as "JJ," grew up in Coeur d'Alene and attended Coeur d'Alene High School. He graduated from Washington State University, earned his MBA from the University of Arizona, and worked in management at the Beverly Hilton Hotel before joining the Hagadone Hospitality Co.
He is the immediate past chairman of the Idaho Travel Council, has been active in the Coeur d'Alene Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and is currently vice-chairman of the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife, Angela, have two children, Jacob and Jordan.
In this 27th edition of The Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show, the lights will shine through Jan. 1, with Journey to the North Pole Cruises departing nightly across the lake. New attractions for this year's show, organizers say, are Santa's Village at the Plaza Shops, a fire-breathing dragon that appears during the cruise and upgraded technology at the North Pole.
"A Christmas Cabaret," a holiday musical presented at The Resort by Ellen Travolta, offers holiday laughter and songs. Tickets are going fast and several performances are already sold out. For more, see achristmascabaret.com or (208) 765-4000.
What began as a few lights decorating the front entrance of The Coeur d'Alene Resort in 1986 has grown to an international holiday destination with more than 255 displays and an appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" in 2007.
The Coeur d'Alene Resort offers stay-and-cruise packages, as well as buy-one, get-one-free cruise tickets with meal purchases at Beverly's, Cedar's Floating Restaurant, Tito's Italian Grill, Dockside, Bonsai Bistro, Beachouse or Mulligan's.
For Journey to the North Pole Cruise tickets: (208) 664-7268 or cdaresort.com Packages/reservations: (208) 765-4000.