18th City Lights holiday festival delights crowds
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By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
Crowds in the tens of thousands lined the streets of downtown Honolulu last night for the 18th annual City Lights Festival and Electric Light Parade.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
"I've never been before," said Pakalana Walters of Lahaina, Maui. "And now he is old enough that he wants to see Santa and the parade."
Julia Taylor, 4, of Honolulu, has a little trouble adjusting her Santa cap in front of the City Hall Christmas Tree during the City Lights Festival.
Walters' oldest son, 3-year-old Ammon, danced in the grass beside her near the corner of King and Alapai. His brother, Enoka, sat contentedly in his stroller, munching Goldfish crackers.
Ammon was having a difficult time believing his mother when she told him that Santa would not hand out gifts.
"He never brings presents until Christmas," Walters warned. Ammon executed several near perfect pirouettes before falling to the ground.
The City Lights ceremony, hosted by Hawaiian Electric, kicked off at 3 p.m. with food booths and musical groups.
The mayor's tree lighting ceremony started at 6 p.m., with new tree decorations. Holiday music played from speakers hidden inside the tree.
The parade, which featured city vehicles decorated by the employees who use them, took a new route this year through Chinatown, down King and past City Hall.
Santa Claus brought up the rear. He did not seem to have Ammon's Christmas presents with him.
