LEWISTON — The Twin Cities kicked off the holiday season Saturday with plenty of holly and jolly for the annual Parade of Lights. 

Christmas trees were lit in both Festival Plaza and Kennedy Park, along with an electric, larger-than-life menorah. Holiday tunes played out through the park while the crowd waited for the parade to arrive. The Auburn Business Association offered free coffee and mittens to parade-goers to help fend off the chill.

Some highlights of the event included a float which featured a campfire scene, including a tent and campers sitting around a faux fire and decorated Christmas tree, as well as Public Works trucks, carrying Christmas trees bedecked with colorful lights. 

The draw of the day, though, was the big man himself, Santa Claus. He and the Mrs. made an appearance in the parade, and a free photo op was available in the newly renovated park gazebo. 

Four-year-old Esme Breau-Robley thought the parade was really cool, but there was something else she was looking forward to:

“Seeing Santa!” she said. 

She and grandmother Nancy Breau lined up with the rest of the crowd for the special opportunity after the parade. 

Families lined up on the side of Bates Street to take a horse-pulled wagon ride around downtown, courtesy of Stillbrook Acres.

The parade began at Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre in Auburn, made a stop to light the tree at Festival Plaza, and finished their route with a circle around Kennedy Park.

Firetrucks, Red Cross vans, and tow trucks were adorned with lights and wreaths and Christmas trees, the drivers honking and waving at the crowd.  

The children along the parade route had a variety of responses to the event. 

One girl in the crowd was concerned that the decorated parade ambulance was carrying a sick person.

A boy asked, “Is it Christmas today?” 

Local businesses celebrated Small Business Saturday with festive window decorations and fun activities, and a free dance presentation was held in the afternoon at the Lewiston Public Library. 

Parade Float Winners

• Best business float: Community Credit Union

• Best youth float: Cub Scout Pack 111

• Best nonprofit float: Court Street Baptist Church 

Window-Decoration Winners

• First place: Dube Florists

• Second place: Community Credit Union, Pine Street.