Festival Of Lights Parade Draws Thousands To Downtown Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS – Thousands of people lined Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs Saturday night to watch the 18th annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, many of them bundled up because of the 50-degree temperature.

The 90-minute parade, which stepped off at 5:45 p.m. at Ramon Road and headed north on Palm Canyon Drive to Tamarisk Road, included high school and middle school bands, floats with colored Christmas lights, and various dignitaries, including Miss Festival of Lights, Julia Peterson, and her court.

“When it comes to holiday spirit, no other event in the Coachella Valley can beat this truly spectacular parade,” said Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, who rode in the parade, as did City Council members and former senator and new county Supervisor John Benoit.

Observers said people were standing three deep to watch the procession, and that many were wearing winter clothing because of the chilly, Christmasy weather.

No major problems were reported, although some said it was hard to tell who sponsored the floats because their signs were hard to see.

Downtown restaurants with outdoor patios were packed with diners who could see the parade from their tables.

Stores in the downtown area were filled with Christmas lights and decorations, and city light poles were decorated with stars with lights around them.