Parade of Lights
One of the great things about living in a new place is learning the traditions which inhabit that new place. A tradition here is the "Parade of Lights" which starts the holiday season here. Texter, Gibbs, Lady K and I were bundled up for the 36 degree weather to head downtown to the walking mall to see what the annual Christmas kick-off was about.
Aside: I have a feature on my camera I had not tried yet which is for taking nighttime pictures. It basically takes 4 rapid shots and merges them to make 1 picture that isn't shaky since you are hand holding the camera. I gave it a try since I wanted to get some pictures of the lights and the parade. I think it worked really well.
First off, the stores and business were lit up. In some of the stores, in the front window, they had 'live' decorations - members of the Nutcracker dance company that is being performed here now. That was a lot of fun to see.
Unfortunately, I didn't get a really good shot, but she was all in white and the decorations were all white. This was one of the art galleries on the mall.
But all the stores were decorated nicely.
And my favorite, Birds and Beasleys. Which reminds me I need to fill up the feeders today before the storm gets here.
Of course, the toy store got in on the act.
The 'reindeer' in the window are heavy, rubber bouncy rides for kids. I want one so bad. Of course, it is for Lady K! Maybe the lime green one?
Another favorite stop on the mall, Parrot Confectionary was packed (as usual) with shoppers for chocolates and hot chocolate
Not only were the stores decorated nicely, but outside, the light poles and the fixed trolley were decorated. There was a little band at the trolley playing Christmas songs.
On a good note, no Daleks to ruin this Christmas. On a sad note, no Tardis.
Now the following is not meant to poke fun at my new home, but I am use to Christmas parades filled with all the local bands and decorated floats. However, hear there are no school marching bands (figured they would freeze their 'brass' off) Instead, it is a parade of gaily decorated pickup trucks and RV's and a couple of groups walking along with them.
The above is the local humane society with adoption dogs. It was hard not to grab one or two on the way by.
The parade started off with a firetruck and ended with the Bookmobile from the library!
The parade is actually the 'warm-up' for the grand finale, which is lighting the fire tower which overlooks the downtown area. The tower is called 'The Guardian of the Gulch' and built in 1874.
It is up on the hillside at the end of the mall, by the library. So the parade starts at one end of the mall, goes up the center of the mall and ends at the library and then lighting the fire tower. All-in-all, about an hour to 1 1/2 hours outing in the cold.
While it does make the Apex parade look like a Macy's parade event, Helena does it nicely and it was well worth putting on tights, socks, boots, undershirt, sweater, coat, hat, gloves to stand outside in the cold to watch it. I can't wait until next year when Lady K is more aware of what is going on.
Good job, Helena!
Aside: I have a feature on my camera I had not tried yet which is for taking nighttime pictures. It basically takes 4 rapid shots and merges them to make 1 picture that isn't shaky since you are hand holding the camera. I gave it a try since I wanted to get some pictures of the lights and the parade. I think it worked really well.
First off, the stores and business were lit up. In some of the stores, in the front window, they had 'live' decorations - members of the Nutcracker dance company that is being performed here now. That was a lot of fun to see.
She was in the window of Prickly Pear Quilts. But my favorite was this one....
Unfortunately, I didn't get a really good shot, but she was all in white and the decorations were all white. This was one of the art galleries on the mall.
But all the stores were decorated nicely.
The cookware shop. This place has more little gismos and gadgets for the kitchen, I can't go in there.
And my favorite, Birds and Beasleys. Which reminds me I need to fill up the feeders today before the storm gets here.
Of course, the toy store got in on the act.
The 'reindeer' in the window are heavy, rubber bouncy rides for kids. I want one so bad. Of course, it is for Lady K! Maybe the lime green one?
Another favorite stop on the mall, Parrot Confectionary was packed (as usual) with shoppers for chocolates and hot chocolate
Not only were the stores decorated nicely, but outside, the light poles and the fixed trolley were decorated. There was a little band at the trolley playing Christmas songs.
Lady K waited patiently in all her 100 layers of clothing for the start of the parade.
And Texter and I were almost going to be arrested when we saw someone displaying a Dr. Who scarf. Now I have to make one!
On a good note, no Daleks to ruin this Christmas. On a sad note, no Tardis.
Now the following is not meant to poke fun at my new home, but I am use to Christmas parades filled with all the local bands and decorated floats. However, hear there are no school marching bands (figured they would freeze their 'brass' off) Instead, it is a parade of gaily decorated pickup trucks and RV's and a couple of groups walking along with them.
The above is the local humane society with adoption dogs. It was hard not to grab one or two on the way by.
The parade started off with a firetruck and ended with the Bookmobile from the library!
The parade is actually the 'warm-up' for the grand finale, which is lighting the fire tower which overlooks the downtown area. The tower is called 'The Guardian of the Gulch' and built in 1874.
It is up on the hillside at the end of the mall, by the library. So the parade starts at one end of the mall, goes up the center of the mall and ends at the library and then lighting the fire tower. All-in-all, about an hour to 1 1/2 hours outing in the cold.
While it does make the Apex parade look like a Macy's parade event, Helena does it nicely and it was well worth putting on tights, socks, boots, undershirt, sweater, coat, hat, gloves to stand outside in the cold to watch it. I can't wait until next year when Lady K is more aware of what is going on.
Good job, Helena!
this looks like such fun xx and as you say it will get better each year xx
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