A little holly and jolly heads to Rathdrum

RATHDRUM — Everybody could use a little holly and jolly.

At least that's what Rathdrum Parks and Recreation folks believe as they gear up for "Deck the Homes" and Lighted Vehicle Parade contests.

It won't be the same at Rathdrum's usual December Delights Holiday Festivities, but the annual Lighted Vehicle Parade will still set the city streets a-glow Dec. 5. The four-and-a-half mile route begins at Stub Myer Park and will travel through town after a 7 p.m. start.

Some parade contestants include Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the Northern Lakes Fire Department, Rathdrum Police Department, Mayor Vic Holmes, and 2019 winner Mari Davey.

Davey and friend Hope Kalbaugh participated for the first time last year, dressing up her 1971 Volkswagen Bug with Herbie Express-themed decorations and donning their own Santa Claus costumes. They spent 10 hours perfecting their ride, reserving a couple of nights a week to prep ornaments.

This year, they're cranking it up a notch.

"A group of four of us gals are entering a Jeep," Davey said. "We just had a meeting last night on what we're doing for it."

She wouldn't reveal the group's 2020 decorations but said costumes will be coming into play.

"We're taking it to a whole other level," Davey said. "We're hoping that the weather is halfway decent too because we want to have the top off and have the decorations all over."

It wasn't the prizes that sparked Davey's and Kalbaugh's interest. They just wanted to get out there and bring a little Christmas cheer to the town. The route is available for viewing online, and people are encouraged to find a safe street to watch from a distance, Rathdrum Parks and Recreation director Eric Singer said.

"We didn't even know there was a prize. We did it all mostly for fun," Davey said. "It's really cool. On the routes people come out sitting there in lawn chairs and cheering. It happens all over town, and that's one thing we got a kick out of last year."

Rathdrum's last major event, Rathdrum Days, has left the community longing for more after many celebrations were canceled due to COVID. However, Singer said there was no debate about the parade.

"The Mayor didn't even hesitate to say yes to the holiday parade," Singer said. "It's been a down year, and we think it's important to bring some Christmas cheer and uplift everyone's spirits."

Modeled after National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Rathdrum is partnering with Avista Corp., Kootenai Electric Cooperative, and Rathdrum Trading Post Hardware for the first annual "Deck the Homes" Lighting event.

Participants will have the opportunity to win in three categories:

*Classic Christmas Story: a people's choice award with first-place prizes of a $500 reimbursement of the 2020 Christmas light purchase or a $250 Rathdrum Trading Post gift card and $125 cash.

*The Clark W. Griswold Award for the most lights on a house: first-place winners will receive a $100 Rathdrum Trading Post gift card and $125 cash.

*The Jingle All the Way Award for the best overall decoration: first-place wins a $100 Rathdrum Trading Post gift card and $125 cash.

"We were just looking for other things we could do to get the community involved, and this is just a fun way to get people to decorate more in town," Singer said.

Online voters will choose the people's choice winners through a survey monkey link with the three categories and related contestants. Judging for the shiniest homes will be on Dec. 11, 12, 18, and 19 for the community to join in and vote alongside Parks & Recreation staff.

Registration closes Dec. 4 at 5 p.m., and the winners will be announced Dec. 21 at 4 p.m.

For the kids, Santa's Mailbox will be sitting outside Rathdrum City Hall and the Parks and Recreation Office for families to fill out wish lists until Christmas Eve.

Info: www.rathdrum.org/rec