Christmas spirit shines bright in Parade of Lights
IMPERIAL — Despite living in the Imperial Valley for about eight years now, Brawley resident Brittany Meads had yet to attend Imperial’s Parade of Lights.
Though on Friday night, Meads was able to not only experience the parade, but also participate in it, walking alongside her daughter and the float for her Girl Scouts’ Troop 7234.
“I thought it was a blast. I had fun and all the girls enjoyed it,” Meads described her experience in the city’s 15th annual Parade of Lights.
Organized between the Imperial Chamber of Commerce, Imperial Police Department and the city’s public services department, the parade consisted of an array of decorated floats and local school marching bands making their way down Imperial Avenue.
“Just seeing everybody smile and seeing everyone have a good time,” said Meads on her favorite part of the parade. “Nobody is fighting or has any anger. Everybody is just coming together and having fun.”
For 10-year-old Imperial resident Joel Lopez, it was neither the exuberant Christmas floats nor dancing cheerleaders he was impressed by.
“I thought it was pretty cool. My favorite thing was seeing the cops in the parade,” said Joel, who has attended the parade three-years in row with his grandma.
Alexis L. Chalupnik, management analyst with the Imperial City Manager’s Office, believed this year’s parade drew in more of a crowd than ever before.
“I love the Christmas lights and I love to see the creativity each year that each float puts into what they want to show off,” said Chalupnik as her favorite part of the parade. For those unable to attend the event, it was the first year the city live streamed the parade on their Facebook page, mentioned Chalupnik.
The parade event concluded with a Christmas tree lighting at the city hall.