Let There Be Lights!

In 2021, we were treated to an impromptu parade in Kekaha that left us smiling.  I'm sure part of the positive vibe that came from it was the simple fact that it WAS impromptu and it WAS for the locals in the town.  There was a good bit of joyfulness and plenty of Aloha that could be felt, even if we were NOT locals.

Since we were fortunate to be able to visit the west side of Kauai again over the holidays in 2022, we made a point to get to the official Waimea Light Parade.  For those who do not know, Waimea is the next town to the east from Kekaha.  

For the parade to happen, the road into town was closed starting at 5pm and was not going to be opened until much later that night (concerts follow the parade).  So we had to make a decision.  Do we go into town early and hope to find a parking spot - and then stay for the duration?  Or do we park outside of town and walk in?

Since we were still recovering a bit from the travel to the island of Kauai, we opted for the latter - and that's how Tammy got one of her first walks in during the trip.  

The Waimea Lights Parade is a popular local event.  People living on the West side bring their keiki (children) for the parade.  The parade emcees made it a point to remind everyone to watch their keiki when the vehicles came down the road.  Then, they also reminded us that we should watch all keiki and do something if a child is about to dash in front of a vehicle because the COMMUNITY takes responsibility to for the safety of its children.

I took specific note of the fact that treats were not thrown from parade floats into a scrum of waiting children - a practice that always bothered me because it favored those kids that were willing to push others aside to grab all they could.  Instead, treats were handed directly to the children by individuals walking alongside the floats.  

It was friendlier.  It was kinder.  It meant something more.  And, I liked it.

The town businesses and the park were also lit up.  There were some food vendors as well.  And, of course, there was a stage set up for the music.  The layout clearly favored those who were familiar with the town and the event itself.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.  It was refreshing to be allowed to participate in this local festival that was not catering to tourists.

It felt very much like many of the town festivals we celebrate in Iowa during the summer months.  If maybe a bit more... somehow.  

Many of the "floats" were service vehicles or work vehicles that had lights strung all around them.  There were boats on trailers, backhoes on trailers, and, of course, trailers that had a specifically designed float.  

The high school marching band performed and the state champion football team was loudly cheered.  There were people popping wheelies on bicycles that had lights on their tires.  There was a group of Volkswagon Beetles and Vans that were lit up and cruising along.  A couple of floats used a combination smoke or mist machine with a bubble machine to good effect with colored lights shining through them.

We did miss seeing the septic pumping truck that ran the streets of Kekaha last year.  Maybe they didn't enter the parade this time around?  Or maybe there is a counter-culture parade that just lights up their vehicles and drive around when they want to.  If anyone would do it, it would be the people charged with having to pump out septic systems, wouldn't it?  A job that is really necessary, but so few are willing to do it.  It takes a special person and I suspect they develop a special sense of humor.

As with all things, there were a couple of floats that were a bit annoying for various reasons.  But, it takes a variety of people to make a community.  Perhaps there were many who appreciated them even when we did not?  It doesn't matter in the end, because the feeling of the whole was positive.

And we enjoyed seeing it.

To the community on the West Side - Mahalo!

We appreciated the chance to celebrate with you.