LIHUE — All smiles and laughter, Fancy Butac-Sagucio couldn’t contain herself. She and her three siblings were excited and ready for this year’s biggest event on the island Friday. “I want to see Santa,” she said eagerly, as her parents,
LIHUE — All smiles and laughter, Fancy Butac-Sagucio couldn’t contain herself. She and her three siblings were excited and ready for this year’s biggest event on the island Friday.
“I want to see Santa,” she said eagerly, as her parents, Lani and Al, prepared a large floor mat for the family to sit on to watch the Lights on Rice parade.
An estimated 12,000 spectators lined Rice Street for the grand parade Friday night, which featured 60 floats and more than 3,000 participants.
Smiling faces, bright lights and cuddly dogs watched and cheered as dignitaries such as Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Kauai County council members and staff waved back.
Many families had arrived as early as 8 a.m. to reserve their space along Rice Street to see Christmas floats from Santa and his elves.
“When I got here this morning, there were already chairs lined up,” said Melanie Thompson. “I’m lucky I got this spot.”
Jayden Putman, 5, said he was “so happy!” to be watching this year’s parade, because his friend was going to be “Santa or an elf or something” (he wasn’t really sure) in the parade.
His mother, Robin Putman, said she was glad to be sitting in the same spot she had the year before, right in the county courtyard, where it all ends.
Four-year-old Jesse Simao was holding her teddy bear tightly and smiling.
“I want to see something like a Christmas tree,” she said as she patiently waited for the parade to begin.
Everyone was feeling the excitement and aloha. Dressed in Santa hats, reindeer antlers and ringing bells, kids ran with lights and lightsabers.
Organizer Eileen Winters said the community came together to organize the parade.
“It’s all volunteer based,” Winters said through tears. “We never got a no. It’s been amazing. It’s a wonderful ohana on Kauai.”
Carvalho said the parade is a great way to kick off the holidays.
“Everyone enjoys it, from keiki to kupuna, and we all look forward to it year after year,” Carvalho said.
Councilmembers Gary Hooser and JoAnn Yukimura, who were alongside the mayor in Friday’s joyous event, chimed in.
“It’s a joyous time for the community to come together to celebrate with lights and giving, the birth of the Christ Child who symbolizes hope, love and good in a sometimes dark and fearful world,” Yukimura said. “I love the event!”
“The Lights on Rice annual Christmas parade is a special time for all of Kauai to come together, to reconnect with our friends and neighbors, to celebrate the holidays and to reflect on all the good that surrounds us,” Hooser said.
Even businesses on Rice Street were in the holiday spirit.
Kauai Beer Company owner Jim Guerber said he loves how the community comes together during Lights on Rice. He put out extra chairs just for the occasion.
“Everybody really participates as a community,” he said. “We love it. Rice Street is the street of celebration. That’s what we’re doing. We’re celebrating.”
Ha Coffee Bar, which usually closes at 5 p.m. during the week, stayed open throughout the night for the parade, said Jeff Adams, executive director.
“I think the parade is like a community institution,” Adams said. “It’s always been a primary community event. It’s hard not to be excited.”
Lights on Rice is put on by the Rotary Club of Kauai, which took over the year’s biggest celebration back in 2011, after taking it over from Dennis Fujimoto and other community folks who had decided Kauai needed a Christmas parade about 15 years ago.
Winters said Lights on Rice is something the Rotary Club plans to continue for years to come.
“Rotary club is not giving up on this one,” she said. “It’s just too much fun. When you look at all the little kids’ faces, it just tears you apart. It’s so beautiful.”
