Let there be LIGHTS
Spectators watch fireworks erupt above Lake Coeur d'Alene during the 2018 Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show. This year's festival begins at 5 p.m. with the annual holiday parade on Sherman Avenue, followed by the lighting ceremony. (LOREN BENOIT/Press File)
Kids in the Alta Dance Academy perform in the 2018 holiday parade. (LOREN BENOIT/Press File)
COEUR d’ALENE — Get ready to feel the holiday magic with the official lighting ceremony for The Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Light Show.
The lighting ceremony fireworks show is presented by Duane and Lola Hagadone and their family as a Christmas present to the community.
"The lighting ceremony is a very important event in our family,” said Brad Hagadone, president of the Hagadone Corporation. "The opportunity to spend time with our local residents, laughing and cheering as we kick off the holiday season is a tradition we enjoy providing. We invite our community to bring their family and friends for this beloved occasion. We promise this year’s event will be better than ever."
The 2019 Holiday Light Show opening ceremony will commence at 5 p.m. with a parade along Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene. Following the parade, crowds will gather by the lakefront to sing classic Christmas carols, including a candle-lighting ceremony during “Silent Night.” This event often attracts at least 30,000 spectators to the Lake City. Among them are local community members, families and visitors who travel long distances for this tradition.
Brad Hagadone will host the ceremony. The guest of honor will be Clint Schroeder, regional publisher for the Hagadone Media Group and the Hagadone Communication Division’s North Idaho Newspaper Group.
Approaching his 10th year with the Hagadone Corporation, Schroeder is an award-winning and upstanding member of the community. His recognitions include being selected as one of the Pacific Business News 40 under 40 in 2011 and the National Mental Health Alliance’s Outstanding Business Leader in 2013. He served as district governor for the Rotary International’s District 5000 in 2016-2017.
Schroeder will lead the crowd in counting down to set off the fireworks show above Lake Coeur d’Alene. Immediately after the 3,008-shell extravaganza choreographed to Mannheim Steamroller’s "Carol of the Bells," more than 1.5 million lights will light up the lake.
The Holiday Light Show will shine through New Year’s Day.
Last year, The Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Light Show received fifth place in USA Today's "10 Best Public Holiday Light Display" contest and is in the running for that same award this year. In 2016, The Coeur d’Alene Resort earned a spot on the “10 Underrated Places with Fantastic Holiday Celebrations" list as seen on US News, Yahoo News and more. In 2015, the Holiday Light Show and The Resort secured a spot on the “Top Holiday Hotels” list from USA Today.