Historians say the first Christmas on Kaua’i was celebrated aboard an English ship more than 200 years ago off the Waimea shore.
So when Waimea folks say the holiday goes way back in their community’s history, they aren’t kidding.
And they’ll add another chapter with their fifth annual Lighted Christmas Parade tomorrow night.
Starting at 6 o’clock, at least eight floats, fire trucks and probably some surprises will fill the business district’s main street – Waimea Road – for an hour or so.
Right up to the last minute, families and anyone else can join in the procession, whether or not they’re decorated or clothed in holiday finery, parade organizers said. In past years, some of the more unique entries included a motorcyclist in a polar bear suit.
“It’s truly a grassroots event,” said Chris Faye, the parade’s publicity chairwoman.
There’s more than the parade to attract Christmas celebrants tonight. At Hofgaard Park, free refreshments and entertainment are planned, including music from Waimea High School’s band at 7 p.m., Ni’ihau School of Kekaha at 7:45, Island Worship Choir of Anahola at 8:15, and Henry Kapono at 9.
Sponsored by West Kaua’i Business and Professional Association, the event has support from Kaua’i County, Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawai’i Millennium Commission, Waimea Project Grad and ITT Federal Services, among others.
The event’s chairman is Mark Nellis, president of the business association.
Waimeans have made Christmas a community thing for a long time, dating back to when some families drove around caroling with accompaniment from a piano in the back of a truck, Faye said.
Get there early As many as 2,000 people have turned out in past years to watch the Waimea Lighted Christmas Parade, so organizers of this year’s event recommend showing up early for the best parking and viewing. The parade will start at 6 p.m.
Editor Pat Jenkins can be reached at 245-3681 (ext.
227) and pjenkins@pulitzer.net
