Big Islanders Brave Rain for Hilo’s Christmas Parade of Lights
Big Island residents and visitors lined the streets of downtown Hilo for the 32nd Annual Downtown Hilo Christmas Light Parade “Christmas Parade of Lights” on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017.
The Hilo Downtown Improvement Association proudly continues this long-standing traditional parade for the Hilo community, which marks the beginning of the holiday season.
True to Hilo style, the heavy downpours of rain didn’t stop participants or onlookers from enjoying the spectacle.
The parade consisted of school bands, keiki sports teams, local businesses, Hawai‘i Island pāʻū riders, civic groups and many more.
A highlight for Hilo, was the float carrying the Hilo High Division One Football Champions.
Themed “Storybook Christmas,” many floats were adorned with characters of childhood classics, such as The Three Little Pigs, to new favorites like the characters Moana and Maui.
Trumping tradition, the parade route was the reverse of previous years, sending the floats down along Hilo Bayfront to Waianuenue Avenue in honor of the Downtown Hilo Association’s efforts to light up Downtown Hilo with holiday light motifs and decorations.
Each year, the parade embodies the Christmas spirit—and that was certainly the case this year.
Doctor Michael Russo’s float during the Hilo Christmas Light Parade, Nov. 25, 2017. PC: Crystal Richard.
Hawaiʻi Isalnd Pāʻū riders during the downtown Hilo Christmas Parade of Lights on Nov. 25, 2017. PC: Crystal Richard.
Rudolph Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer float in the 32nd Annual Downtown Hilo Christmas Light Parade on Nov. 25, 2017. PC: Crystal Richard.
Keaukaha Warriors Christmas float during the 32nd Annual Downtown Hilo Christmas Light Parade “Christmas Parade of Lights” on Nov. 25, 2017. PC: Crystal Richard.
Toys for Tots Christmas Train at the 32nd Annual Downtown Hilo Christmas Light Parade on Nov. 25, 2017. PC: Crystal Richard.
A favorite float among the keiki was the Moana float which carried both characters Moana and Maui at the 2017 Hilo Christmas parade, Nov. 25. PC: Crystal Richard.
Hawaii Island Royalty during the 32nd Annual Downtown Hilo Christmas Light Parade “Christmas Parade of Lights” on Nov. 25, 2017. PC: Crystal Richard.
Downtown Hilo Texaco float in the 2017 Hilo Christmas parade, Nov. 25. PC: Crystal Richard.
Christmas Trolly during the Downtown Hilo 2017 Christmas Light parade, Nov. 25. PC: Crystal Richard.
A highlight of the “Storybook Christmas” themed floats was StorQuest Self Storage’s Three Little Pigs in downtown Hilo, Nov. 25, 2017. PC: Crystal Richard.
Big Island Cheer Christmas float during the downtown Hilo Christmas Parade of Lights, Nov. 25, 2017. PC: Crystal Richard.
Paradise Performing Arts Center storybook Christmas float during the 32nd Annual Downtown Hilo Christmas Light Parade, Nov. 25, 2017 PC: Crystal Richard.
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