Tradition brings light to Preston
The Festival of Lights in Preston has become a tradition for many. In this small northern Cache Valley city, that is how residents kick off the holiday season.
Diane Hyde, who runs the Gingerbread Shoppe on Main Street in Preston, loves to get into the festivities. She said she decorates her store and the trees outside every year. The town actually has a decorating day where the stores get ready for the festival, she said, and youth groups in town come help put up lights.
The activities have been going on throughout November and the lights will be on throughout December.
Pennie Christensen, executive director of the Preston Chamber of Commerce, said they have maps of the most brightly lit houses to see in town.
There is one house in particular, owned by the Hollingsworth family, that has “billions of lights,” she said, and always attracts a “steady stream of cars.”
The Chamber of Commerce has a contest every year for the best-decorated home. The Hollingsworth family was winning every year, so the chamber started donating money to them every year so they would keep it up, and also so they could give the prize to someone else.
Christensen said throughout the month that the festival is going on, there are about 10,000 visitors through Preston.
The festival started with the Festival of Lights Feast on Nov. 4. This is a fundraiser for the festival where coordinators had dinner at Preston High School followed by an auction of donated items, according to www.prestonidaho.org.
The Lamplighter and Queen of Lights were honored at the Nov. 18 Lamplighter presentation.
“These individuals are outstanding members of the community who have given service and made a difference,” according to a statement on the chamber’s Web site. The chosen couple then rode in the front float during the light parade.
The Friday after Thanksgiving brought several activities, including the International Bed Races, the Bar J Wranglers in concert, fireworks and the Grand Light Parade on Saturday night. All of the floats were covered in Christmas lights.
Hyde said the floats will be displayed throughout the Christmas season in the city park.
“The chamber board works very hard,” Hyde said. “It brings in a lot of people, and we like to have traditions. It’s a good way to set off the holiday season.”
The lights and maps to see them are available until New Year’s Day.
-hollyadams@cc.usu.edu