GH Newspaper Group
The rain and wind subsided just as the sun was setting in Montesano Saturday evening, right on time for the annual Festival of Lights parade. Hundreds lined Pioneer Avenue and North Main Street and watched the brightly-lit entries, enjoying some classic favorites and one thundering newcomer.
Premier Realty took the Festival Sweepstakes Award for best overall entry with the Beast Bus, a party bus festooned in Seahawks colors.
There were the favorites, of course. The Thriftway entry, a large shopping cart wrapped in lights, was one. The Montesano Fire Department truck was once again a highlight, bringing up the rear of the procession and taking the Margaret Downey Award. Just ahead of it were entries from Pape – Chamber of Commerce Award winner, and the always popular Bayview Redi Mix truck, its mixer spinning and lined with lights.
Hoquiam Loggers Playday was awarded the Commission’s Trophy for best overall float. Whitney’s entry took the Best of Theme award, the Promise Community Center won the Spirit of Christmas award for best religious entry, and I-5 Quarter Midget Club got the best children’s entry, It’s a Small, Small World Award, with their string of quarter-midget cars piloted by kids.
There were entries featuring animals; the Best of Times 4-H Club took the Dr. Donald H. Mustard Award for the best of them. The Professor Harold Hill Award for the best band not from Montesano went to Elma, and Sierra Pacific took the Mayor’s Choice Award. An entry from the Montesano Co-Op took the Grand Marshal’s top pick.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Pa rum pum pum pum — Allyssa Gustafson keeps the beat with bright drum sticks during the grand parade of the Montesano Fesitval of Lights on Dec. 12, 2016. She’s pictured with Dakota Ross, Cole Streeter and Sam Borcherding.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Cassandra Mudgett, 12, of Elma Youth Cheer dances during the 30th annual Montesano Festival of Lights grand parade on Dec. 10, 2016.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Bethanie Henderson, 10, of Promise Community Center Day Care and Preschool, takes a break from her duties as Mary in the Nativity scene float to enjoy a candy cane during the 30th annual Montesano Festival of Lights on Dec. 10, 2016.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Pape Machinery dazzles the Montesano crowd, lifting a Christmas tree high in the air over Main Street during the 30th annual Montesano Festival of Lights on Dec. 10, 2016.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Wishkah Valley School band director Shannon Patterson, front, leads her students during the grand parade of the Montesano Festival of Lights. Pictured students from left are Emerie Perron, Amber Cochran, Brooke Haskey, Courtney Flink, Gaige Johnson, Char Gutierrez and Anthony Williamson.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Members of the South Beach Buccaneers help celebrate the holidays during the Montesan Festival of Lights on Dec. 10, 2016.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Mystic Sound and Lighting dazzled the Montesano crowd on bicycles during the 30th annual Montesano Festival of Lights on Dec. 10, 2016.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) A large crowd watched as the 30th annual Montesano Festival of Lights parade slowly rolled and glowed down Main Street on Dec. 10, 2016.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette)
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Front, from left, Adrian Perrigo on trumpet, Owen McNeill on trumpet, and Trista Cochran on saxophone of the Wishkah Valley School band march during the Montesano Festival of Lights grand parade on Dec. 10, 2016. Also pictured in the background are Justice Stankavich, Carsin Tobin, Colton Bomhoff, and Duncan Palmgren.
(Corey Morris | The Vidette) Pastor Ryan Whitehead and Kyah Kramer, 5, wave to the camera as they ride past on the Grays Harbor Adventist Christian School float during the 30th annual Montesano Festival of Lights. Whitehead was dressed as Jesus.
