parade

The holiday season is celebrated in International Falls on Friday night.

Rainy Lake Medical Centre is again organizing this year’s Home for the Holidays Community Christmas Parade.

Spokesperson Emily Geddes says it is shaping up to be one of their best.

“We try to outdo ourselves every year, and I think we succeeded this year,” says Geddes.

“It looks like we have 37 different businesses, organizations and individuals registered for this year’s event.”

The parade will get underway at 6 p.m., starting near Smokey Bear Park and travelling toward downtown.

A long-time family physician will lead the parade.

“Our grand marshal is Dr. Jay Knaak, who has been in our community for 30-plus years,” says Andrea Pastor, another of the event organizers.

“We’re sending him off in style as he heads to retirement at the end of the year. We’re really honoured to be able to recognize him and send him off in style.”

Before the parade begins, there will be other events at the park, starting at 4 p.m.

“That includes some free cookies and hot chocolate, as well as food trucks if people want to come out for dinner. We have some fun farm animals with a little petting zoo, and light displays, some Christmas music, just great ambiance,” says Pastor.

The evening will conclude with a fireworks display to be lit by the International Falls Fire Department shortly after the parade concludes.

“It’s going to be such a magical evening,” says Geddes.

“We can’t wait to see everybody and really get the holiday season kick-started.”