Idaho’s Festival of Lights is scheduled for Saturday in Preston – KVNU

PRESTON – The Idaho Festival of Lights takes place Saturday, Nov. 30, after Thanksgiving. This is Preston’s biggest winter event and is expected to attract hundreds of out-of-towners and relatives wanting to come home for the holidays.

The city known for Napoleon Dynamite has lights all over State Street and in the parks for the city’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 displayed at 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 Councilor Chris Larsen were on the committee this year and organized the whole thing.

“We’re only having a Saturday party this year,” Almond said. “We have people calling all the time asking if it’s a two-day event and the answer is no. Not until Saturday.”

The festivities begin with the Festival of Trees and Gingerbread Contest, held at 72 S. State Street and 74 S. State Street. Doors open at 10 a.m. and last until 5:30 p.m

Hemsley Ventures is sponsoring a gingerbread house contest. There are three categories: Junior (0-11 years); adolescents (ages 12-17); and advanced (from 18 years). The winners of each category as well as the runners-up in the youth and advanced categories receive a prize.

“New this year is our quilt show at the Elks Lodge,” Almond said. “The lodge is located at 1229 North 800 East near the Preston Golf and Country Club. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..”

Also new this year, there will be a holiday gift display from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Robinson Building, 186 West 2nd North at the Franklin County Fairgrounds

Santa will join the celebration from 2 to 4:30 p.m. in front of the empty lot on State Street between The Owl Club and Deseret Industries.

There will be a variety show at the Worm Creek Opera House from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The Worm Creek Opera House is located at 70 South State Street.

The free children’s film begins at 4 p.m. at the Worm Creek Opera House.

The Preston Fire District will host a “Touch a Truck” for kids to get an up-close look at the fire trucks at 55 West 1st Street from 2 to 4:30 p.m. There will be free hot chocolate, and the Fire District is asking people to bring a food donation for the Elks Lodge and coats for their coat drive.

Free hot chocolate is available outside Sweetlux Aesthetics, 78 South State.

Live entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. on the State Street stage with Lilia Ebanez and Ami Phillips.

Then at 6 p.m. the fireworks will shoot into the night, followed by the parade of lights at the end of the holiday.