PAGE A10, KEIZERTIMES, DECEMBER 03, 2021
LIFE
Holiday Parade
returns to River Road
The Salem Electric float was awarded the Best Use of Light award at the 2019 Holiday Parade.
BY MATT RAWLINGS
Of the Keizertimes
After a two-year hiatus, the Keizer
Holiday Lights Parade sponsored by
Cascade Floors makes its grand return
to River Road N. on Saturday, Dec. 11
at 7 p.m.
“I am absolutely through the roof.
It is going to be the best parade ever.
We really want to make this special for
everyone,” said Corri Falardeau, execu-
tive director of the Keizer Chamber of
Commerce.
The theme of this year’s parade is
Songs of Christmas, which was chosen
by Keizertimes publisher Lyndon Zaitz.
“We are encouraging folks to sing
some of their favorite carols and deco-
rate to match that theme. A lot of ideas
can come out of each song. It is going
to be a great night of singing and car-
oling,” Falardeau said.
The Grand Marshal for the parade
will be Jose Dominguez, the pastor
at La Luz Del Valle Church in Keizer.
Dominguez has been a fi xture in the
Keizer community for many years and
was one of the founders of the Latino
Action Committee — which has pro-
vided scholarships for Latino students
at McNary High School since 2018.
“He is someone that has stepped up
and provided a lot of support for our
community. We wanted to highlight
that,” Falardeau said.
There have been 20 entries in the
parade as of early November, but
Chamber staff are planning to have
anywhere from 50 to 100 fl oats by the
time Dec. 11 rolls around, including
bands and fi rst responders.
School bands from McNary, McKay,
South Salem and Sprague high school
will be part of the procession.
There will be multiple locations
along River Rd. for spectators to stop
for coff ee, hot chocolate and cook-
ies (St. Edwards Catholic Church,
Willamette Valley Bank, O’Reilly’s,
Columbia Bank, 911 Supply and Copy
Cats). Several of the locations will also
feature food trucks.
Feel -Good
STORY
Saluting the people that make
us proud of our community
presented by
FILE PHOTO, Keizertimes
Prices for entry into the parade are
the same as those for the Iris Festival
parade: $35 for non-profi ts, civic orga-
nizations, military organizations and
per car for auto clubs; $125 for a com-
mercial entry from Chamber mem-
bers and political groups/candidates;
and $175 for non-member commercial
entries. Entry forms must be received
at the Keizer Chamber offi ce, 4118 River
Road N. Awards will be given for most
festive, best use of lights, best choreog-
raphy, best sound, best theme, Mayor’s
choice and honorable mention. Entry
forms are available online at keizer-
chamber.com.
Staging for the parade begins at
3:30 p.m. on Lockhaven Drive North
between McClure Street North and
River Road. The parade will start at
the intersection of Lockhaven and
River Road and travel south ending at
Glynbrook Street North.
River Road will close at 6 p.m. to
make way for the Chamber’s annual
Jingle Dash, a 5K fun run, which begins
at 6:15 p.m. The run will begin at the
Chamber of Commerce’s new offi ce,
4118 River Road North. Registration
can be completed on the Chamber
website.
Run participants are encouraged to
dress up and compete for the best cos-
tume award. Cookies, hot cocoa, and
coff ee will be waiting at the fi nish line.
Call the Keizer Chamber, 503-393-
9111, for more information.