WASHOUGAL — Postponed after last week’s snow-and-ice storms, the annual Lighted Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in downtown Washougal went off without a hitch — or a snowflake — last night, drawing hundreds of residents to the city’s Main Street to watch the parade, take pictures with Santa, see the tree lighting, listen to carolers and enjoy cookies and warm drinks.
Washougal Mayor Sean Guard said the festival grows every year, with more parade entries and spectators.
“It is a great way to get into the spirit of the season and celebrate our community,” Guard said.
Sponsored by the city of Washougal and the Downtown Washougal Association, the annual holiday festival kicked off at 5 p.m., Mon., Dec. 12, with free photos with Santa Claus. Photographer Lisa Kuhlman, of the Camas-based Windows on Life Photography, took photos of children on Santa’s lap and families could take a free print home thanks to donated printers and paper from Riverview Community Bank.
Carolers from Washougal High School’s X-Tet Chorus and Washougal High School band entertained families in Reflection Plaza before the Lighted Christmas Parade got underway around 6 p.m.
Led by Washougal police officers and firefighters — who rolled by in lighted police cruisers and firetrucks — the parade participants amused the crowd with festive, well-lit floats for more than half an hour. Around 6:30 p.m., the festival shifted into Washougal’s Reflection Plaza and ended with the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree.
Other sponsors of the event included Waste Connections, Courtney Wilkinson of Country Financial, Starbucks and Excavator Rental Services.
