North Sioux City held its second annual Holiday Parade of Lights on Thursday, Nov. 30. And by the looks of things the parade and activities afterward were a resounding success.

Above is an assortment of photos taken during the Holiday Parade of Lights Parade and the gathering with Santa afterward at the North Sioux City Police garage. You can click on individual photos to see enlarged versions. (Photos by Gary Dickson)

The parade began at the intersection of Wildflower Bend and Campbell Street and proceeded east on Campbell Street with crowds of adults and children lining the route all the way to the North Sioux Police Station. There were numerous floats, vehicles, and even people decked out in multi-colored holiday lights. The Dakota Valley Drum Line also marched and played during the parade.

And what would be a parade if it didn’t have horses? Several horses with riders brought up the rear (much to the relief of the marching drum line which was earlier in the procession). There were police cars and emergency vehicles spread out in the procession blowing their sirens as well. Float riders and people walking in the parade threw candy to the eager parade watchers lining the route.

After the parade, people gathered for cookies and hot cocoa with Santa at the police station garage. Kids and grown-ups could complete a letter to Santa detailing their wish list of items they’d like for Christmas and place it that evening in a receptacle provided by Peoples Bank. They can also take their letters in later to deposit them at People’s Bank in a special Santa letter mailbox.

The event was put together by the City of North Sioux City and Peoples Bank.

The photos here were taken by Siouxland Observer editor Gary Dickson who, accompanied by his lovely spouse Nancy, managed to grab some candy along the street of the parade route and a cookie later at the police garage.

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