PRESTON – The Idaho Festival of Lights will be held Saturday, Nov. 30, after Thanksgiving. This is Preston’s biggest winter event and is expected to bring in hundreds of out-of-towners and relatives wanting to come home for the holidays.
The city known for Napoleon Dynamite has lights everywhere on State Street and parks for the town’s annual celebration.
“Michael and Dorothy Lower were named Lamplighter and Queen of Lights,” said Amber Almond, a member of the Festival of Lights committee. They will be prominently showcased in the festival parade. The Lowers are long time business owners in Preston.
Amber Almond, Amber Alder, Terri Green, Vickie Friedli, Evelyn Rawlins and Preston City Councilman Chris Larsen were on this year’s committee and organized the whole thing.
“We are only doing a Saturday celebration this year,” Almond said. “We have people calling all the time and asking if it is a two-day event and the answer is no. Just on Saturday.”
The celebration kicks off with the Festival of Trees and Gingerbread Contest to be held at 72 S. State Street and 74 S. State Street. Doors open at 10 a.m. and will go until 5:30 p.m.
The Idaho Festival of Lights is a spectacular show bringing in the Christmas Season.
Hemsley Ventures is sponsoring a gingerbread house competition. There are three categories: Junior (ages 0-11); Youth (ages 12-17); and, Advanced (ages 18+). Winners of each category will get a prize as well as the runner ups in the youth and advanced categories.
“New this year is our Quilt Show to be held at the Elks Lodge, “Almond said. “The lodge is located at 1229 North 800 East close to the Preston Golf and Country Club. It will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.”
Also new this year there will be a holiday gift show at the Robinson building, located at 186 West 2nd North at the Franklin County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
Santa will join the celebration from 2 p.m. until 4:30 pm in front of the empty lot on State Street between The Owl Club and Deseret Industries.
A variety show will be held at the Worm Creek Opera House from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. The Worm Creek Opera House is located at 70 South State Street.
The free kids movie will begin at 4 p.m. at the Worm Creek Opera House.
The Preston Fire District is hosting a Touch a Truck for children to get an up-close look at the fire engines located at 55 West 1st Street from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Free hot chocolate will be available, and the fire district is asking people to bring a food donation for the Elks Lodge and coats for their coat drive.
Even the parks in Preston have light displays to make the season bright.
There will be free hot chocolate In front of Sweetlux Aesthetics, located at 78 South State.
Live Entertainment will begin on the State Street stage at 5:30 p.m. featuring Lilia Ebanez and Ami Phillips.
Then the Fireworks will shoot into the night at 6 p.m. followed by the Lighted Parade to finish of the day of celebration.