Ogden's Electric Lights Parade

I heard about the Christmas lights parade in Ogden last year after the fact, but I kept a mental note to watch for it this year because I thought Cal and Sam would think it was pretty great.  It was held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  Our plan was to eat at a fun little sandwich shop (Even Stevens) that we've been meaning to try for a long time, and which just happened to be located on the parade route, and then pop outside when the parade started to watch the fun.  Mission accomplished!  We had a great little family date, and a super fun evening bringing in the Christmas season in style.

This place a cool vibe.  Cal fit right in.

The food was fabulous!  I got the Banh Mi (fantastic!), Gregg got
the Reuben (more about that below), Cal and Sam split the Cheesy
Baked Mac, and we all shared an order of Party Tots.  Seriously
good stuff, every bite.  We highly recommend this place!

He said this Reuben, with its thick, fatty slices
of corned beef roast and red kraut has bumped
former Siegfried's Reuben from its spot
at number one on Gregg's list of Best Reubens.
It was mouth watering.

Just outside and down a couple doors, we found
a fairly open spot to watch the parade.

And we had a super view of the temple as a bonus!

And it begins!

The weather couldn't have been more perfect.
We look bundled, but mostly we were wearing
the hats and gloves just to have somewhere
to put them instead of holding them.

This was some local Star Wars club - all decked out in full
costumes with lit up light sabers.  Nerd alert!

The bands were super fun with lights on their instruments
and playing Christmas songs.

Quite a few Mexican-themed groups and floats.  I loved these
costumes and dances.

The people next to us let Cal and Sam sit by them
on the curb, so they had front row seats.

Trucks and buses and fire trucks and boats (yes,
boats) all decked out in lights!  Sam was in
heaven!

bonus video!

joy to the world

(this reminded me so much of playing scales "joy to the world" style in band

around Christmastime back in the day)

And that's a wrap!  Santa and the Mrs. bring
up the rear.

There was apparently a ceremony followed by the lighting of Christmas Village and the grand finale of fireworks after the parade, but we opted for ditching the crowds heading South and headed back home to have normal bedtimes.  That can be something else to look forward to in the coming years, I think.  In the meantime, we'll look forward to next year's Electric Lights Parade and maybe we can talk some of our extended family into joining us for the fun.