Hundreds brave bitter cold for Parade of Lights

Santa made his official appearance riding on the fire department's antique fire truck.

The tiny voice erupted from the small ball of coat, hat and muffler that began bouncing up and down on a corner in downtown Mountain Home.

"Look, mommy, it's Santa Claus! Look, mommy, look!"

The little tyke was almost breathless with joy as he caught the first official appearance of Santa Claus in Mountain Home during Friday's annual Parade of Lights, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.

A solid crowd estimated at 500-600 people, including all the children, braved bitter cold temperatures to watch the 20-minute parade of 18 entries pass through downtown.

Then, both the parade and onlookers proceeded to Railroad Park, where eight special lighted displays had been set up, for the official lighting of the city's Christmas Tree.

That lighting was almost a disaster because someone, the day before, had cut out and stolen a section of the lights. Chamber President Robby Robinson luckily spotted the vandalism/theft and spliced the lines back together in time.

A children's choir put on a short presentation of Christmas tunes, then, with Santa on hand, the 80-foot tree erupted in a blaze of color.

"People didn't stick around as long as they did last year, but they all stood up," by showing up, Chamber Director Mindy Cuevas said.

Only the hardiest braved the cold for the tree lighting ceremony. Temperatures were in the low 20s and a brisk breeze drove the wind chill into single digits. Everyone's breath could be seen under the multi-colored lights of the tree and local Masons did a boom business handing out free hot drinks at the site.

As soon as the lighting was over, Santa and Mrs. Claus retired to the warmth of the Youth Center, where they spent the next few hours listening to the wish lists of scores of children lined up for a chance to let Santa know what they wanted most for Christmas.

The parade winners, judged by Councilman Jimmy Schipani and his wife, Robynn, and Col. Ron Anderson and his wife, Lisa, were:

* 1st place: Idaho Power.

* 2nd place: Les Schwab.

* 3rd place: River of Life Family Worship Center.