It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
<p>The man of the night, Santa Claus waves from his firetruck "sleigh" to the some 30,000 people lining Sherman Avenue at the holiday parade preceding the 29th Annual Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show on Friday. More than 35 entries were in the parade, which begun at Sherman Avenue and 8th Street and ended at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.</p>
<p>From top to bottom, Avery Green, 8, Lily Havercroft, 5, and Emery Havercroft, 3, gaze up into a tree adorned with thousands of lights after it was lit up following the firework show on Friday at the 29th Annual Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show.</p>
<p>The Boland family, from Coeur d'Alene and California, light holiday candles on the City Park Beach as they await the Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show firework display on Friday in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
<p>Bundled up against the 20-degree chill, Cameron Hirth, left, and Laeyla Brooks, both 3, hold light-up toys and wave at passing parade floats on Friday at the annual holiday parade preceding the 29th Annual Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show on Sherman Avenue in Coeur d'Alene.</p>
<p>Fireworks erupt over Lake Coeur d'Alene as tens of thousands watch from the shore on Friday at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show. The fireworks were a gift to the community from the Hagadone family.</p>
<p>Families gather underneath a fully lit-up tree as the Christmas tree atop the Hagadone Corporate Offices stands out against the night sky in the distance on Friday at the Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show.</p>
<p>Halle Hatfield, 3, and her mother, Drue, smile as they watch the holiday "Cool Yule" parade floats move down Sherman Avenue on Friday in Coeur d'Alene before the Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show.</p>
<p>The Coeur d'Alene Resort Carolers sing traditional Christmas carols to tens of thousands on The Resort's front lawn on Friday at The Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE — With a soft note of a pitch pipe, The Coeur d'Alene Resort Carolers gently began to sing "Silent Night."
They were joined by a chorus of voices that emanated from the sea of people standing on The Resort lawn. Many of them held candles that faintly flickered in the cold evening air.
The voices counted backward from 10 and an arsenal of pyrotechnics exploded over Lake Coeur d'Alene. Booming bursts of red, green, silver, gold and purple bloomed and streaked above as showers of sparkles glittered and disappeared into the dark.
And when the fireworks ended, lights throughout downtown were illuminated, letting everyone know — it's officially Christmastime in Coeur d'Alene.
“I love how the community gets together for the lighting ceremony," said Jennifer Costa of Coeur d'Alene. "I always go to the lighting ceremony. It’s my favorite time of year.”
Costa was one of more than 30,000 people who braved the chilly November evening to enjoy the annual holiday parade and the 29th annual Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show.
Costa, a Hayden Donut House employee, was also in the parade. She wore an inner tube that looked like a doughnut as she walked with her doughnut-clad colleagues.
“It's awesome," she said. "I'm glad to be here, glad to be representing the Donut House."
The "Cool Yule" parade, presented by the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association and sponsored by Idaho Central Credit Union, included more than 35 vehicles, floats and entries that spread holiday cheer along Sherman Avenue and made for merry moods: The Snake Pit Derby Dames and their giant roller skate, Lakeside Oral Surgery and Dental Implants' festive "Molar Express" train, Hagadone Marine Group's Rudolph and snowman rocking out to "Gangnam Style," the angelic Winton Elementary School choir and many more.
"We’re just thrilled to be a part of it," said Anne Hagman, business development officer for Idaho Central Credit Union. "We know this community loves this parade and it is such a privilege for us to get to be the sponsor."
Kids, families, couples, grandparents, groups of friends and many more packed the sidewalks as they waved at the people in the parade and sometimes clapped or danced to the music booming from the vehicles.
It was the first time Bicycle Sales and Service had a float in the parade. It was accompanied by a squad of smiling cyclists.
"We are a community, and this is a community event," said owner Carrie Martin. "It's all about people and family."
Miss North Idaho Fair and Rodeo, Haley Jackson, 19, rode in the parade with her horse, Junebug, who was adorned with festive colors and bows.
"I love the decorations and how happy it makes people," Jackson said of the parade.
Cub Scout Matthew Weston, 11, of Pack 220 in Post Falls, stood on a Fourth Street corner and sold hot cocoa to raise money for his pack.
"(Sales) are going good," he said. "We came in here and there was a rush, and I don't know how it happened, but people just started coming and it's been really great so far and we're looking forward to getting a really good amount."
When the parade ended with an appearance by St. Nicholas, the crowds spilled from Sherman Avenue onto The Resort lawn, where everyone anticipated the spectacular holiday fireworks display.
Stan Miller, of Coeur d'Alene, said he loves attending the holiday parade and fireworks extravaganza.
"It marks the start of the season," he said.
Press intern Gabe Theander contributed to this article.