Have a holly jolly good time downtown tonight

COEUR d’ALENE — Grab your Santa hats and your crazy light-up festive accessories, because the holidays officially begin in Coeur d'Alene today.

About 30,000 people will flock to downtown Coeur d'Alene for The Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show and holiday parade, which begins on Sherman Avenue at 5 p.m. This is the 30th year for the festivities, which include candle lighting, caroling and holly jolly fun. More than a million lights illuminate the downtown and 250 displays will shine through Jan. 2.

Duane and Lola Hagadone and family will once again present a fireworks show for the community. Brad Hagadone, president of The Hagadone Corp., will emcee the event. Lesly Ward, vice president of corporate administration for the Hagadone Corp., will be the honored guest.

Journey to the North Pole cruises will depart nightly across the lake. The 60-foot-tall animated floating Christmas tree on Lake Coeur d'Alene will return, and Santa will be reading the names of the children on his "nice" list when they arrive at the North Pole. Tickets are $20.75 for adults, $19.75 for seniors, $6 for kids 6-12 and free for 5 and younger. Journey to the North Pole Cruises tickets can be purchased by calling (855) 956-1977 or at www.cdacruises.com.