Winterlights Parade

We are excited to present the 2021 Winter Lights Parade.  Join us on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 7:00 pm in historic downtown Meridian. 

Keep scrolling for all the fun details!
Behold the magic! Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy tonight's Winter Lights Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting.
​Congratulations to our trophy winners from tonight's parade:
Best Float - Idaho Central Credit Union
Best Band - Rocky Mountain High School
Best Animal Entry - Rough Riders Equestrian Drill Team
Best Walking Unit - Boise Figure Skating Club
Best Motorized Entry - Cap Ed Credit Union

2021 Grand Marshal

Juli Bokenkamp
Juli Bokenkamp has been helping direct the efforts of the community garden in Kleiner Park with a group called Meridian Co-Op Gardeners for the last 9 years.  This is a place where 32 families--adults and children of diverse backgrounds and ages garden together each year with a similar purpose to grow healthy and delicious food for themselves and for local food banks.  They donated 8362 pounds to foodbanks this year. 

Two years ago the garden received a grant from Idaho Botanical Garden to help build a pollinator garden at the same location, including 13 fruit trees.  Recently, Juli and her team installed a Little Free Library at Kleiner Park and a small pollinator area at Heroes Park.  The garden has received two City of Meridian awards for Environmental Excellence and continues to be a unique model for community gardening. 

Everyone is hungry for something…often people are hungry for an opportunity to give, to be of service, to be a part of something bigger than themselves.  That’s what this garden is all about.  Juli has been instrumental in creating a safe space where people are free to talk, learn about gardening and have the opportunity to meet people from all over the valley, people who may would never have met otherwise.  

Parking & Free Shuttle 

Shuttle service is available from 5:00 - 9:30 pm.   Catch the Trolley at the Alberton's parking lot on Fairview and Meridian roads.  The circular route ends at the Post Office on Carlton and Main street.
Hosted by the Chamber Downtown Meridian Committee.   

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" 

Watch at 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM outdoors on the Heritage Building at the corner of Main and Idaho Street.  
Sponsored by: 

Parade Route & Road Closures 

We hope you will take note and plan alternative driving routes on Friday, December 3, 2021 to avoid traffic delays due to the Winterlights Parade in downtown Meridian.   

1 )      Idaho Ave will be closed from Meridian to Main from 8 am - 10 pm.
2)      Main Street will be closed from the split corridor to Carlton Street from 4:00 - 9:00 pm.   
After the parade, the Main Street closure will then be reduced to just Broadway to Pine until 10 pm.
3)      Franklin Road will be closed from Stratford to Meridian from   4:00 - 8:30 pm.
4)   Traffic may be slow and delayed at I-84 exit merging onto Meridian heading north during the parade from 4:00  - 7:30 pm.
Also expect delays at Franklin & Main and Meridian road intersections.
5)   3rd Street will be closed from Broadway to Franklin from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. 

Need a little social distance? 

For those who are not yet ready for large crowds huddled close together, we recommend watching the parade on 2nd Street.  See all the fun - with a little more space.   This is also a perfect option for those have strollers or just like a little bit more elbow room.  

Don't forget to vote in the Downtown Decorating Contest 

The Pulse Running & Fitness Shop Ugly Sweater Fun Run 

The Fun Run is back!   

Run,  walk or stroll down the parade route with family and friends while being cheered on by everyone lining the streets waiting for the parade!

Registration includes a fun light to help us light up the parade route. This 1.25 mile Fun Run will include an Ugly Sweater contest where winners receive some fun holiday schwag at the finish.   Register to join the fun here.  

The finish line is at 2nd and Idaho.  Help cheer them on!